Extracellular matrix-binding proteins from staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT

An isolated extracellular matrix-binding protein, designated as SdrC and its corresponding amino acid and nucleic acid sequences and motifs are described. The proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of  S. aureus  infection and as scientific research tools. Further, antibodies or antibody fragments to the proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are also useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of  S. aureus  infection. In particular, the proteins or antibodies thereof may be administered to wounds or used to coat biomaterials to act as blocking agents to prevent or inhibit the binding of  S. aureus  to wounds or biomaterials.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/744,616, filed Dec. 24, 2003, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/200,650, filed Nov. 25, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,680,195, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/066,815, filed Nov. 25, 1997 and Ser. No. 60/098,427, filed Aug. 31, 1998, all of said applications incorporated herein by reference.

The U.S. Government has rights in this invention arising out of National Institutes of Health grant number A120624.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the fields of microbiology and molecular biology. The invention includes the isolation and use of extracellular matrix-binding proteins and genes that express the proteins from Staphylococcus aureus to inhibit, prevent and diagnose S. aureus infection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In hospitalized patients Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of infections associated with indwelling medical devices, such as catheters and prostheses, and related infections of surgical wounds. A significant increase in Staphylococcus aureus isolates that exhibit resistance to most known antibiotics has been observed in hospitals throughout the world. The recent emergence of resistance to vancomycin, the last remaining antibiotic for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, has emphasized the need for alternative prophylactic or vaccine strategies to reduce the risk of nosocomial S. aureus infections.

Initial localized infections of wounds or indwelling medical devices can lead to serious invasive infections such as septicemia, osteomyelitis, and endocarditis. In infections associated with medical devices, plastic and metal surfaces become coated with host plasma and extracellular matrix proteins such as fibrinogen and fibronectin shortly after implantation. The ability of S. aureus to adhere to these proteins is of crucial importance for initiating infection. Vascular grafts, intravenous catheters, artificial heart valves, and cardiac assist devices are thrombogenic and prone to bacterial colonization. S. aureus is the most damaging pathogen to cause such infections.

Fibrin is the major component of blood clots, and fibrinogen/fibrin is one of the major plasma proteins deposited on implanted biomaterials. Considerable evidence exists to suggest that bacterial adherence to fibrinogen/fibrin is important in the initiation of device-related infection. For example, as shown by Vaudaux et al., S. aureus adheres to in vitro plastic that has been coated with fibrinogen in a dose-dependent manner (J. Infect. Dis. 160:865-875 (1989)). In addition, in a model that mimics a blood clot or damage to a heart valve, Herrmann et al. demonstrated that S. aureus binds avidly via a fibrinogen bridge to platelets adhering to surfaces (J. Infect. Dis. 167: 312-322 (1993)). S. aureus can adhere directly to fibrinogen in blood clots formed in vitro, and can adhere to cultured endothelial cells via fibrinogen deposited from plasma acting as a bridge (Moreillon et al., Infect. Immun. 63:4738-4743 (1995); Cheung et al., J. Clin. Invest. 87:2236-2245 (1991)). As shown by Vaudaux et al. and Moreillon et al., mutants defective in the fibrinogen-binding protein clumping factor (ClfA) exhibit reduced adherence to fibrinogen in vitro, to explanted catheters, to blood clots, and to damaged heart valves in the rat model for endocarditis (Vaudaux et al., Infect. Immun. 63:585-590 (1995); Moreillon et al., Infect. Immun. 63: 4738-4743 (1995)).

An adhesin for fibrinogen, often referred to as “clumping factor,” is located on the surface of S. aureus cells. The interaction between the clumping factor on bacteria and fibrinogen in solution results in the instantaneous clumping of bacterial cells. The binding site on fibrinogen is located in the C-terminus of the gamma chain of the dimeric fibrinogen glycoprotein. The affinity is very high and clumping occurs in low concentrations of fibrinogen. Scientists have recently shown that clumping factor also promotes adherence to solid phase fibrinogen, to blood clots, and to damaged heart valves (McDevitt et al., Mol. Microbiol. 11: 237-248 (1994); Vaudaux et al., Infect. Immun. 63:585-590 (1995); Moreillon et al., Infect. Immun. 63: 4738-4743 (1995)).

The gene for a clumping factor protein, designated ClfA, has been cloned, sequenced and analyzed in detail at the molecular level (McDevitt et al., Mol. Microbiol. 11: 237-248 (1994); McDevitt et al., Mol. Microbiol. 16:895-907 (1995)). The predicted protein is composed of 933 amino acids. A signal sequence of 39 residues occurs at the N-terminus followed by a 520 residue region (region A), which contains the fibrinogen binding domain. A 308 residue region (region R), composed of 154 repeats of the dipeptide serine-aspartate, follows. The R region sequence is encoded by the 18 basepair repeat GAYTCNGAYT CNGAYAGY (SEQ ID NO: 9) in which Y equals pyrimidines and N equals any base. The C-terminus of ClfA has features present in many surface proteins of Gram-positive bacteria such as an LPDTG (SEQ ID NO: 10) motif, which is responsible for anchoring the protein to the cell wall, a membrane anchor, and positive charged residues at the extreme C-terminus.

The platelet integrin alpha IIbp3 recognizes the C-terminus of the gamma chain of fibrinogen. This is a crucial event in the initiation of blood clotting during coagulation. ClfA and alpha IIbp3 appear to recognize precisely the same sites on fibrinogen gamma chain because ClfA can block platelet aggregation, and a peptide corresponding to the C-terminus of the gamma chain (198-411) can block both the integrin and ClfA interacting with fibrinogen (McDevitt et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 247:416-424 (1997)). The fibrinogen binding site of alpha IIbp3 is close to, or overlaps, a Ca²⁺ binding determinant referred to as an “EF hand”. ClfA region A carries several EF hand-like motifs. A concentration of Ca²⁺ in the range of 3-5 mM blocks these ClfA-fibrinogen interactions and changes the secondary structure of the ClfA protein. Mutations affecting the ClfA EF hand reduce or prevent interactions with fibrinogen. Ca²⁺ and the fibrinogen gamma chain seem to bind to the same, or to overlapping, sites in ClfA region A.

The alpha chain of the leucocyte integrin, alpha Mβ2, has an insertion of 200 amino acids (A or I domain) which is responsible for ligand binding activities. A novel metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) motif in the I domain is required for ligand binding. Among the ligands recognized is fibrinogen. The binding site on fibrinogen is in the gamma chain (residues 190-202). It was recently reported that Candida albicans has a surface protein, alpha Intlp, having properties reminiscent of eukaryotic integrins. The surface protein has amino acid sequence homology with the I domain of alpha Mβ2, including the MIDAS motif. Furthermore, alpha Intlp binds to fibrinogen.

ClfA region A also exhibits some degree of sequence homology with alpha Intlp. Examination of the ClfA region A sequence has revealed a potential MIDAS motif. Mutations in supposed cation coordinating residues in the DXSXS (SEQ ID NO: 13) portion of the MIDAS motif in ClfA results in a significant reduction in fibrinogen binding. A peptide corresponding to the gamma-chain binding site for alpha Mβ2 (190-202) has been shown by O'Connell et al. to inhibit ClfA-fibrinogen interactions (O'Connell et al., J. Biol. Chem., in press). Thus it appears that ClfA can bind to the gamma-chain of fibrinogen at two separate sites. The ligand binding sites on ClfA are similar to those employed by eukaryotic integrins and involve divalent cation binding EF-hand and MIDAS motifs.

Scientists have recently shown that S. aureus expresses proteins other than ClfA that may bind fibrinogen (Boden and Flock, Mol. Microbiol. 12:599-606 (1994)). One of these proteins is probably the same as the broad spectrum ligand-binding protein reported by Homonylo-McGavin et al., Infect. Immun. 61:2479-2485 (1993). Another is coagulase, as reported by Boden and Flock, Infect. Immun. 57:2358-2363 (1989), a predominantly extracellular protein that activates the plasma clotting activity of prothrombin. Coagulase binds prothrombin at its N-terminus and also interacts with soluble fibrinogen at its C-terminus. Cheung et al., Infect. Immun. 63:1914-1920 (1995) have described a variant of coagulase that binds fibrinogen. There is some evidence that coagulase can contribute, in a minor way, to the ability of S. aureus cells to bind fibrinogen. As shown by Wolz et al., Infect. Immun. 64:3142-3147 (1996), in an agr regulatory mutant, where coagulase is expressed at a high level, coagulase appears to contribute to the binding of soluble fibrinogen to bacterial cells. Also, as shown by Dickinson et al., Infect. Immun. 63:3143-3150 (1995), coagulase contributes in a minor way to the attachment of S. aureus to plasma-coated surfaces under flow. However, it is clear that clumping factor ClfA is the major surface-located fibrinogen-binding protein responsible for bacterial attachment to immobilized fibrinogen/fibrin.

The identification and isolation of additional S. aureus extracellular matrix binding proteins would be useful for the development of therapies, diagnosis, prevention strategies and research tools for S. aureus infection.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide 15 isolated cell-wall associated extracellular matrix-binding proteins of S. aureus and active fragments thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide methods for preventing, diagnosing, treating or monitoring the progress of therapy for bacterial infections caused by S. aureus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide isolated S. aureus surface proteins that are related in amino acid sequence to ClfA and are able to promote adhesion to the extracellular matrix or host cells.

It is another object of the present invention to generate antisera and antibodies to cell-wall associated extracellular matrix-binding proteins of S. aureus, or active fragments thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide S. aureus vaccines, including a DNA vaccine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved materials and methods for detecting and differentiating S. aureus organisms in clinical and laboratory settings.

It is a further object of the invention to provide nucleic acid probes and primers specific for S. aureus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide isolated extracellular matrix-binding proteins or peptides of S. aureus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Isolated extracellular matrix-binding proteins, designated ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE, and their corresponding amino acid and nucleic acid sequences and motifs are described. The proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection and as scientific research tools. Further, antibodies or antibody fragments to the proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are also useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection. The proteins, peptides, peptide fragments, antibodies, or antibody fragments can be administered in an effective amount to a patient in need thereof in any appropriate manner, preferably intravenously or otherwise by injection, to impart active or passive immunity. In an alternative embodiment, the proteins or antibodies thereof can be administered to wounds or used to coat biomaterials to act as blocking agents to prevent or inhibit the binding of S. aureus to wounds or biomaterials.

Specifically, extracellular matrix-binding proteins from S. aureus designated as ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, and SdrE are provided.

ClfB is a fibrinogen binding protein. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of ClfB are provided in FIG. 5. The amino acid sequence of ClfB is SEQ ID NO: 1, and the nucleic acid sequence of ClfB is SEQ ID NO:2.

SdrC has been discovered to bind to several extracellular matrix proteins of the host, including for example, bone sialoprotein (BSP), decorin, plasmin, fibrinogen and vitronectin. The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of SdrC are SEQ ID NOS:3 and 4 respectively and are provided in FIG. 7.

Another of the discovered proteins, SdrD, binds at least vitronectin. The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of SdrD are SEQ ID NOS:5 and 6 respectively and are provided in FIG. 8.

SdrE binds to extracellular matrix proteins, for example, bone sialoprotein (BSP). The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of SdrE are SEQ ID NOS:7 and 8 respectively and are provided in FIG. 9.

ClfB has a predicted molecular weight of approximately 88 kDa and an apparent molecular weight of approximately 124 kDa. ClfB is a cell-wall associated protein and binds both soluble and immobilized fibrinogen. In addition, ClfB binds both the alpha and beta chains of fibrinogen and acts as a clumping factor. SdrC, SdrD and SdrE are cell-wall associated proteins that exhibit cation-dependent ligand binding of extracellular matrix proteins such as decorin, plasmin, fibrinogen, vitronectin and BSP.

It has been discovered that in the A region of SdrC, SdrD, SdrE, ClfA, and ClfB, there is highly conserved amino acid sequence that can be used to derive a consensus TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) motif (see FIG. 20). The motif can be used in vaccines to impart broad spectrum immunity against bacterial infections. The motif can also be used as an antigen in the production of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies to impart broad spectrum passive immunity. In an alternative embodiment, any combination of the variable sequence motif (T/I) (Y/F) (T/V) (F) (T) (D/N) (Y) (V) (D/N) can be used as an immunogen or antigen, or in the preparation of antibodies.

The ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins or the consensus or variable motifs thereof are useful as scientific research tools to identify S. aureus binding sites on the extracellular matrix. They are further useful as research tools to promote an understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial pathology and the development of antibacterial therapies.

The ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE nucleic acid sequences or selected fragments thereof, including the sequences encoding the consensus or variable motifs, are useful as nucleic acid probes for the identification of other S. aureus extracellular matrix-binding proteins. Alternatively, the amino acid sequences of the proteins, or selected fragments thereof, can be used as probes to identify the corresponding nucleic acid sequences.

The ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE nucleic acid sequences or the sequences encoding the consensus or variable motifs are further useful as polynucleotides which comprise contiguous nucleic acid sequences capable of being expressed. The nucleic acid sequences may be inserted into a vector and placed in a microorganism for the production of recombinant ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins or the variable or consensus amino acid motifs. This allows for the production of the gene product upon introduction of said polynucleotide into eukaryotic tissues in vivo. The encoded gene product preferably either acts as an immunostimulant or as an antigen capable of generating an immune response. Thus, the nucleic acid sequences in this embodiment encode an MSCRAMM (Microbial Surface Components Recognising Adhesive Matrix Molecules) immunogenic epitope, and optionally a cytokine or a T-cell costimulatory element, such as a member of the B7 family of proteins.

There are several advantages of immunization with a gene rather than its gene product. The first is the relative simplicity with which native or nearly native antigen can be presented to the immune system. A second advantage of DNA immunization is the potential for the immunogen to enter the MHC class I pathway and evoke a cytotoxic T cell response. Cell-mediated immunity is important in controlling infection. Since DNA immunization can evoke both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, its greatest advantage may be that it provides a relatively simple method to survey a large number of S. aureus genes for their vaccine potential.

Antibodies immunoreactive with ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins, or their active fragments, including with the consensus or variable amino acid motifs, are provided herein. Vaccines or other pharmaceutical compositions containing the proteins or amino acid motifs are additionally provided herein.

Antibodies and antisera to the consensus TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) sequence epitope or the variable (T/I) (Y/F) (T/V) (F) (T) (D/N) (Y) (V) (D/N) sequence, specifically TYTFTNYVD (SEQ ID NO: 19) in SdrC, TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) in SdrD and SdrE, TFVFTDYVN (SEQ ID NO: 20) in ClfB or IYTFTDYVN (SEQ ID NO: 21) in ClfA are provided herein. Vaccines or other pharmaceutical compositions containing the epitopes are also provided herein.

In addition, diagnostic kits containing nucleic acid molecules, the proteins, antibodies or antisera to ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or their active fragments, including the consensus or variable amino acid motifs and the appropriate reagents for reaction with a sample are also provided.

In one embodiment of the invention, the diagnostic kit is used to identify patients or animals that have levels of antibodies to ClfB ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, or SdrE that are above a population norm. The plasma of the patients or animals can be obtained, processed, and administered to a host in need of passive immunity to S. aureus infection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation comparing features of unprocessed ClfA and ClfB proteins. S indicates the signal sequence. A indicates the conserved region (region A). P indicates the proline-rich region (repeats are indicated by gray boxes). R indicates the SD repeat region (region R). W indicates the wall-spanning region. M indicates the membrane spanning and anchoring regions. EF hand I of ClfA and its partial homologue on ClfB are indicated by black vertical bars. The MIDAS motifs are indicated by hatched (DXSXS) (SEQ ID NO: 13) and narrow vertical lines (downstream T and D residues) connected by dashed lines.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of general plasmid and probe constructions for sequencing clfB. A repeat-carrying EcoRI fragment was cloned from phage clone A1-1 into pGEM 7Z (f)+ to give pA1-1E (top), and subsequently reduced by deletion of an XbaI fragment to give pA1-1EX, which contains the entire clfB gene. A SmaI fragment containing clfB and 500 bp of upstream DNA was cloned into pCU1 for overexpression and complementation work (pA1-1EA). The HpaI probe used to screen mutants, and the hybridizing BamHI fragment are also indicated.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation showing construction of a cassette for allele replacement. clfB was interrupted by blunt-end cloning the Tc determinant from pT181 into the HpaI site in the middle of the gene in pA1-1EX. pTS2 was then cloned into the SmaI site of the cassette to enable temperature sensitive propagation in S. aureus.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a physical map of the sdrC sdrD sdrE locus in S. aureus strain Newman. The extents of the plasmid clones are delineated. A6-2 is a LambdaGEM®-12 clone. pEJ1, pEJ2 and pEJ3 are A6-2 fragments subcloned in the pGEM 7Z (f)+(pEJ 1 and pEJ2) and the pBluescript KS+ vector (pEJ3). pC1 is a HindIII fragment directly cloned from strain Newman in the pBluescript KS+ vector. Arrows indicate the direction of transcription of sdrC, sdrD and sdrE.

FIGS. 5A-5D show the nucleic acid sequence of ClfB and flanking DNA, and amino acid translation of the ORF. The likely start codon is double underlined, and the principal regions indicated using the abbreviations of FIG. 1. Two salient features of region A, the DYSNS (SEQ ID NO: 11) of the putative MIDAS motif, and the sequence FTDYVN (SEQ ID NO: 12), the longest region of identity with ClfB, are underlined. Vertical bars indicate the repeats in the proline-rich region. An inverted repeat specifying a possible transcription termination signal is underlined.

FIG. 6 is an amino acid sequence alignment of part of region A of the ClfB and ClfA proteins in the region of strongest similarity. EF hand I of ClfA is underlined. Identical residues are denoted by an asterisk; conservative substitutions are denoted by a period. The DXSXS (SEQ ID NO: 13) portion of the MIDAS motif of ClfB is double underlined.

FIGS. 7A-7D show the nucleic acid sequence and amino acid translation of the sdrC gene. The consensus TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) motif, expressed in SdrC as TYTFTNYVD (SEQ ID NO: 19), the EF hands in the B repeats, and the LPXTG (SEQ ID NO: 14) motif are underlined. Major regions, such as the signal sequence (S), region A (A), B repeats (B) region R(R), the wall-spanning domain (W), and the membrane-anchoring domain (M), are indicated.

FIGS. 8A-8E show the nucleic acid sequence and amino acid translation of the sdrD gene. The consensus TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) motif, the EF hands in the B repeats, and the LPXTG (SEQ ID NO: 14) motif are underlined. Major regions, such as the signal sequence (S), region A (A), B repeats (B) region R(R), the wall-spanning domain (W), and the membrane-anchoring domain (M), are indicated.

FIGS. 9A-9D show the nucleic acid sequence and amino acid translation of the sdrE gene. The consensus TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) motif, the EF hands in the B repeats, and the LPXTG (SEQ ID NO: 14) motif are underlined. Major regions, such as the signal sequence (S), region A (A), B repeats (B) region R(R), the wall-spanning domain (W), and the membrane-anchoring domain (M), are indicated.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the region R-containing proteins. Numerals over the proteins denote numbers of amino acids in the regions, numerals under the proteins denote the location on the amino acid sequence of the motifs counted from the beginning of the signal peptide. Abbreviations: S: Signal peptide; A: Region A; B: B repeat; R: Region R; W.M: Wall and membrane spanning regions.

FIG. 11 is a chart showing similarities between A regions ClfA, ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE. Each sequence was aligned in pairwise combinations and the percent identical residues given.

FIGS. 12A-12B show Clustal™ multiple sequence alignments of areas of similarity of the A and B regions of the region R containing genes of strain Newman. An asterisk denotes identity of amino acids, and a colon represents increasing similarity of polarity and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of side chains of amino acids. Alignments 1-4 show areas from region A. Alignments 1, 3 and 4 show the common motifs. Alignment 2 shows homology in the vicinity of the ClfA EF-hand (underlined), with the consensus TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) sequence conserved in all five genes. Alignment 5 shows the B repeats of proteins SdrC, SdrD and SdrE with possible EF hands underlined.

FIG. 13 is a time-course graph of ClfB expression in S. aureus Newman versus time, monitored by Western blotting. Shake flask cultures were sampled at specific time intervals. A standard number of cells was used to prepare lysates.

FIG. 14 is a graph of absorbance versus concentration of ClfA/ClfB comparing the binding of increasing concentrations of biotinylated recombinant region A from ClfA and ClfB to fibrinogen coated plates. Binding to BSA-coated plates is shown as a control. The closed square symbol represents fibrinogen-ClfA; the closed circle symbol represents fibrinogen-ClfB; the open square symbol represents BSA-ClfA; the open circle symbol represents BSA-ClfB.

FIG. 15 is a graph of cells bound versus fibrinogen concentration showing adherence of S. aureus Newman and mutants to fibrinogen immobilized on ELISA plates. Increasing amounts of fibrinogen were used to coat the plates, and a fixed concentration of cells from exponential phase cultures were added. The square symbol represents wild-type; the diamond symbol represents clfA; the circle symbol represents clfB; the triangle symbol represents clfAclfB; the x symbol represents clfAclfB,clfB⁺.

FIG. 16 is a graph of cells bound versus fibrinogen concentration showing adherence of S. aureus Newman and mutants to fibrinogen immobilized on ELISA plates. Increasing amounts of fibrinogen were used to coat the plates, and a fixed concentration of cells from stationary phase cultures added. The square symbol represents wild-type; the diamond symbol represents clfA; the circle symbol represents clfB; the triangle symbol represents clfAclfB; the x symbol represents clfAclfB,ClfB⁺.

FIG. 17 is a graph of cells bound versus IgG concentration showing effects of preincubation with anti-ClfB IgG on adherence of S. aureus Newman and mutants to immobilized fibrinogen. The square symbol represents wild-type; the diamond symbol represents clfA; the circle symbol represents clfB; the x symbol represents clfAclfB,clfB⁺.

FIG. 18 is a bar graph showing adherence of S. aureus Newman and mutants to explanted hemodialysis tubing. Cells from two hour shake-flask cultures were used. The graph provides the means and SEM of three experiments.

FIG. 19 is a bar graph showing adherence of S. aureus Newman and mutants to fibrinogen immobilized on PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) coverslips. Cells from two hour shake-flask cultures were used. The graph provides the means and SEM of three experiments.

FIG. 20 is a table which shows the highly conserved amino acid sequences in the A region of ClfA, ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE, which are used to provide consensus and variable motifs.

FIG. 21 is a graph of absorbance versus concentration of anti-TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) antibodies, demonstrating the binding of increasing concentrations of the antibodies to ClfA, ClfB or BSA coated plates. BSA-coated plates are used as a control, and no significant binding is observed. The closed square symbol represents antibody bound to ClfB; the open diamond symbol represents antibody bound to ClfA; the open circle symbol represents BSA.

FIG. 22 is a Western Blot which illustrates the differing specificities of ClfA and ClfB in the binding of human fibrinogen. The Western Blot was created by the separation of human fibrinogen, and later, the incubation of the nitrocellulose membrane with the A region of either biotinylated ClfA or ClfB. Biotinylated ClfA region A binds the y chain of fibrinogen, as is seen in lane A2. Biotinylated ClfB region A binds to both the α and β chains of fibrinogen, as seen in lane B2.

FIG. 23 is a bar graph showing adherence of recombinant SdrC region A (SdrCA) to ten different extracellular matrix proteins, BSA, BSP, two forms of collagen, decorin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, laminin, plasmin and vitronectin. The extracellular matrix proteins were immobilized on microtiter wells. Absorbance tests revealed reactivity of SdrCA with fibrinogen, BSP, decorin, plasmin and vitronectin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Isolated extracellular matrix-binding proteins, designated ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE, and their corresponding amino acid and nucleic acid sequences and motifs are described. The proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection and as scientific research tools. Further, antibody or antibody fragments to the proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are also useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection. In particular, the proteins or antibodies, or active fragments thereof may be administered as vaccines to induce either passive or cellular immunity.

ClfB binds to at least fibrinogen.

SdrC has been discovered to bind to extracellular matrix proteins of the host, including for example, BSP, decorin, plasmin, vitronectin and fibrinogen. SdrD binds to at least vitronectin. SdrE binds to extracellular matrix proteins, for example, bone sialoprotein (BSP).

The amino acid sequence of ClfB is SEQ ID NO: 1. The nucleic acid sequence encoding ClfB is SEQ ID NO:2. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of ClfB are also provided in FIG. 5. The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of SdrC are SEQ ID NOS:3 and 4 respectively and are provided in FIG. 7. The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of SdrD are SEQ ID NOS:5 and 6 respectively and are provided in FIG. 8. The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of SdrE are SEQ ID NOS:7 and 8 respectively and are provided in FIG. 9. The term “isolated” is defined herein as free from at least some of the components with which it naturally occurs. In a preferred embodiment, an isolated component is at least 90% pure, and more preferably 95%.

ClfB has a predicted molecular weight of approximately 88 kDa and an apparent molecular weight of approximately 124 kDa. ClfB is a cell-wall associated protein and binds both soluble and immobilized fibrinogen. In addition, ClfB binds both the alpha and beta chains of fibrinogen and acts as a clumping factor. Despite the low level of identity between ClfA and ClfB, both proteins bind fibrinogen (on different chains) by a mechanism that is susceptible to inhibition by divalent cations, despite not sharing obvious metal binding motifs. The ClfB protein has been demonstrated to be a virulence factor in experimental endocarditis.

The SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins are related in primary sequence and structural organization to the ClfA and ClfB proteins and are localized on the cell surface. The SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins are cell wall-associated proteins, having a signal sequence at the N-terminus and an LPXTG (SEQ ID NO: 14) motif, hydrophobic domain and positively charged residues at the C-terminus. Each also has an SD repeat containing region R of sufficient length to allow, along with the B motifs, efficient expression of the ligand binding domain region A on the cell surface. With the A region of the SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins located on the cell surface, the proteins can interact with proteins in plasma, the extracellular matrix or with molecules on the surface of host cells. The Sdr proteins share some limited amino acid sequence similarity with ClfA and ClfB. Like ClfA and ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE also exhibit cation-dependent ligand binding of extracellular matrix proteins.

It was surprising to learn that the disclosed extracellular matrix-binding proteins share a unique dipeptide repeat region (region R) including predominately aspartate and serine residues. It had been reported by McDevitt et al., Mol. Microbiol. 11: 237-248 (1994); McDevitt et al., Mol. Microbiol. 16:895-907 (1995) that ClfA also has this R repeat region. He reported that that there were genes in S. epidermidus that hybridized to the gene encoding the R domain containing protein. However, McDevitt et al did not know the function of the R region and had not discovered that other cell surface proteins from S. aureus, S. hemolyticus, S. lugdenensis, S. schleriferi share this unusual motif. Therefore, in one aspect of this invention, a method is provided for the identification of genes and encoding proteins from S. aureus (other than ClfA), S. hemolyticus, S. lugdenensis, S. schleriferi useful for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of bacterial infection that includes using the R repeat region as an identifying probe.

The DS repeat is encoded by 18 nucleotide repeats with the consensus (where Y equals pyrimidines and N equals any base) GAYTCNGAYT CNGAYAGY (SEQ ID NO: 9, with TCN as the first and second serine codons and AGY as the third serine codon. The R region is near the C-terminus of the proteins and typically contains between 40 and 300 DS residues, or more particularly, greater than 40, 60, 80, 100, 125, 150, 200 or 250 repeating units, of which greater than 90, 95 or even 98% of the amino acids are D or S. The R region DS repeat varies in length between proteins, and while the R region itself does not bind extracellular matrix proteins, the R region enables the presentation of the binding regions of the protein on the cell surface of S. aureus. Thus, probes to the consensus DNA encoding the DS repeat (see above) can be used to identify other genes encoding different binding proteins essential to the attachment of S. aureus to host tissues. Antibodies to an R region can be used to discover such additional binding proteins as well.

The sdr genes are closely linked and tandemly arrayed. The Sdr proteins have both organizational and sequence similarity to ClfA and ClfB. At the N-terminus secretory signal sequences precede A regions which are approximately 500 residues in length. The A regions of the Sdr and Clf proteins exhibit only 20-30% residue identity when aligned with any other member of the family.

It has been discovered that in the A region of SdrC, SdrD, SdrE, ClfA, and ClfB, there is highly conserved amino acid sequence that can be used to derive a consensus TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) motif. The motif exhibits slight variation between the different proteins. This variation, along with the consensus sequence of the motif is depicted in FIG. 20. In the Clf-Sdr proteins, this motif is highly conserved. The motif can be used in vaccines to impart broad spectrum cellular immunity to bacterial infections, and also can be used as an antigen in the production of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. Such an antibody can be used to impart broad spectrum passive immunity.

The Sdr proteins differ from ClfA and ClfB by having two to five additional 110-113 residue repeated sequences (B-motifs) located between region A and the R-region. Each B-motif contains a consensus Ca²⁺-binding EF-hand loop normally found in eukaryotic proteins. The structural integrity of a recombinant protein comprising the five B-repeats of SdrD was shown by bisANS fluorescence analysis to be Ca²⁺-dependent, suggesting that the EF-hands are functional. When Ca²⁺ was removed the structure collapsed to an unfolded conformation. The original structure was restored by addition of Ca²⁺. The C-terminal R-domains of the Sdr proteins contain 132-170 SD residues. These are followed by conserved wall-anchoring regions characteristic of many surface proteins of Gram positive bacteria. The sdr locus was present in all 31 S. aureus strains from human and bovine sources tested by Southern hybridization, although in a few strains it contained two rather than three genes.

In the Sdr and Clf proteins this B motif is highly conserved while a degenerate version occurs in fibronectin binding MSCRAMMS, as well as the collagen binding protein Cna. The B motifs, in conjunction with the R regions, are necessary for displaying the ligand-binding domain at some distance from the cell surface.

The repeated B motifs are one common denominator of the sub-group of SD repeat proteins described herein. These motifs are found in different numbers in the three Sdr proteins from strain Newman. There are clear distinctions between the individual B motifs. The most conserved units are those located adjacent to the R regions (SdrC B2, SdrD B5 and SdrE B3). They differ from the rest at several sites, especially in the C-terminal half. A noteworthy structural detail is that adjacent B repeats are always separated by a proline residue present in the C-terminal region, but a proline never occurs between the last B repeats and the R region. Instead this linker is characterized by a short acidic stretch. These differences are evidence that the end units have a different structural or functional role compared to the other B motifs. The N-terminal B motifs of SdrD and SdrE have drifted apart from the others, and there are numerous amino acid alterations, including small insertions and deletions whereas the remaining internal B motifs are more highly conserved. Note that each of the three Sdr proteins has at least one B motif of each kind.

The C-terminal R-domains of the Sdr proteins contain 132-170 SD residues. These are followed by conserved wall-anchoring regions characteristic of many surface proteins of Gram positive bacteria.

ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE subdomains are shown in FIG. 10 and, depending on the protein, include subdomains A and B1-B5.

The terms ClfB protein, SdrC protein, SdrD protein and SdrE protein are defined herein to include ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE subdomains, and active or antigenic fragments of ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins, such as consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs. Active fragments of ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE and consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs peptides or proteins are defined herein as peptides or polypeptides capable of blocking the binding of S. aureus to extracellular matrix proteins. Antigenic fragments of ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE proteins or the consensus or variable amino acid motifs are defined herein as peptides or polypeptides capable of producing an immunological response.

Nucleic Acid Sequences

The nucleic acid sequences encoding ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE and the consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs are useful for the production of recombinant extracellular matrix-binding proteins. They are further useful as nucleic acid probes for the detection of S. aureus-binding proteins in a sample or specimen with high sensitivity and specificity. The probes can be used to detect the presence of S. aureus in the sample, diagnose infection with the disease, quantify the amount of S. aureus in the sample, or monitor the progress of therapies used to treat the infection. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences are also useful as laboratory research tools to study the organism and the disease, thus furthering the development of therapies and treatments for the disease.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE and the consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs are also encoded by sequences substantially similar to the nucleic acid sequences provided in the sequence listing. By “substantially similar” is meant a DNA sequence which, by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code, is not identical with that shown in any of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4, 6, and 8, but which still encodes the same amino acid sequence; or a DNA sequence which encodes a different amino acid sequence but retains the activities of the proteins, either because one amino acid is replaced with another similar amino acid, or because the change (whether it be substitution, deletion or insertion) does not affect the active site of the protein. In the latter case, the sequence has substantial homology to the disclosed sequence if it encodes a protein with at least 70% 80%, 90%, 95% or even 98% of the same amino acids.

Also provided herein are sequences of nucleic acid molecules that selectively hybridize with nucleic acid molecules encoding the extracellular matrix-binding proteins from S. aureus described herein or complementary sequences thereof. By “selective” or “selectively” is meant a sequence which does not hybridize with other nucleic acids to prevent adequate detection of ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or the consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs. Therefore, in the design of hybridizing nucleic acids, selectivity will depend upon the other components present in a sample. The hybridizing nucleic acid should have at least 70% complementarity with the segment of the nucleic acid to which it hybridizes. As used herein to describe nucleic acids, the term “selectively hybridizes” excludes the occasional randomly hybridizing nucleic acids, and thus, has the same meaning as “specifically hybridizing”. The selectively hybridizing nucleic acids of the invention can have at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, and 99% complementarity with the segment of the sequence to which it hybridizes.

The invention contemplates sequences, probes and primers which selectively hybridize to the encoding DNA or the complementary, or opposite, strand of DNA as those specifically provided herein. Specific hybridization with nucleic acid can occur with minor modifications or substitutions in the nucleic acid, so long as functional species-specific hybridization capability is maintained. By “probe” is meant nucleic acid sequences that can be used as probes or primers for selective hybridization with complementary nucleic acid sequences for their detection or amplification, which probes can vary in length from about 5 to 100 nucleotides, or preferably from about 10 to 50 nucleotides, or most preferably about 18-24 nucleotides. Therefore, the terms “probe” or “probes” as used herein are defined to include “primers”. Isolated nucleic acids are provided herein that selectively hybridize with the species-specific nucleic acids under stringent conditions and should have at least 5 nucleotides complementary to the sequence of interest as described by Sambrook, J., E. F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatis. 1989. MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

If used as primers, the composition preferably includes at least two nucleic acid molecules which hybridize to different regions of the target molecule so as to amplify a desired region. Depending on the length of the probe or primer, the target region can range between 70% complementary bases and full complementary and still hybridize under stringent conditions. For example, for the purpose of diagnosing the presence of the S aureus, the degree of complementary between the hybridizing nucleic acid (probe or primer) and the sequence to which it hybridizes (e.g., S. aureus DNA from a sample) is at least enough to distinguish hybridization with a nucleic acid from other bacteria.

The nucleic acid sequences encoding ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE active fragments thereof or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs can be inserted into a vector, such as a plasmid, and recombinantly expressed in a living organism to produce recombinant ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins or fragments thereof, such as consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs. For example, DNA molecules producing recombinant ClfB, SdrC, and both SdrD and SdrE were deposited in plasmids pA1-1EX, pC1 and lambda phage A6-2, respectively, at the NCIMB under the Accession Nos. 40903, 40902 and 40904, respectively on Oct. 13, 1997.

Methods for the Detection and Identification of S. aureas

Methods of using the nucleic acids described herein to detect and identify the presence of S. aureus are provided. The methods are useful for diagnosing S. aureus infections and disease such as upper respiratory tract infections (such as otitis media, bacterial tracheitis, acute epiglottitis, thyroiditis), lower respiratory infections (such as emphysema, lung abscess), cardiac (such as infective endocarditis), gastrointestinal (such as secretory diarrhea, splenic abscess, retroperitoneal abscess), central nervous system (such as cerebral abscess), ocular (such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, preseptal and orbital cellulitis, darcryocystitis), kidney and urinary tract (such as epididymitis, intrarenal and perinephric abscess, toxic shock syndrome), skin (such as impetigo, folliculitis, cutaneous abscesses, cellulitis, wound infection, bacterial myositis, bone and joint (such as septic arthritis, osteomyelitis).

The method involves the steps of obtaining a sample suspected of containing S. aureus The sample may be taken from an individual, such as a wound, blood, saliva, tissues, bone, muscle, cartilage, or skin. The cells can then be lysed, and the DNA extracted, precipitated and amplified. Detection of S. aureus DNA is achieved by hybridizing the amplified DNA with a S. aureus probe that selectively hybridizes with the DNA as described above. Detection of hybridization is indicative of the presence of S. aureus.

Preferably, detection of nucleic acid (e.g. probes or primers) hybridization can be facilitated by the use of detectable moieties. For example, the probes can be labeled with biotin and used in a streptavidin-coated microtiter plate assay. Other detectable moieties include radioactive labeling, enzyme labeling, and fluorescent labeling, for example.

DNA may be detected directly or may be amplified enzymatically using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other amplification techniques prior to analysis. RNA or cDNA can be similarly detected. Increased or decreased expression of ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE and consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs can be measured using any of the methods well known in the art for the quantitation of nucleic acid molecules, such as, amplification, PCR, RT-PCR, RNase protection, Northern blotting, and other hybridization methods.

Diagnostic assays which test for the presence of the ClfB or SdrC, SdrD or SdrE proteins, peptides, motifs, fragments thereof or antibodies to any of these may also be used to detect the presence of an infection. Assay techniques for determining protein or antibody levels in a sample are well known to those skilled in the art and include methods such as radioimmunoasssay, Western blot analysis and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay) assays.

Amino Acid Sequences

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that minor amino acid substitutions or deletions may be present in functional ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE and consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, peptides, proteins, or fragments thereof. The amino acid sequences set forth herein and substantially similar amino acid sequences can be used to produce synthetic ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE and consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, peptides, proteins or active fragments thereof. Active ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, peptide or protein fragments are defined herein as ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, portions or peptides that bind to extracellular matrix proteins or compete with or prevent S. aureus organisms from binding to extracellular matrix proteins such as decorin, plasmin, fibrinogen, vitronectin or bone sialoprotein.

When used in conjunction with amino acid sequences, the term “substantially similar” means an amino acid sequence which is not identical to SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3, 5, or 7, but which produces a protein having the same functionality and retaining the activities of ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE and consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, either because one amino acid is replaced with another similar amino acid, or because the change (whether it be substitution, deletion or insertion) does not affect the active site of the protein or peptide. Two amino acid sequences are “substantially homologous” when at least about 70%, (preferably at least about 80%, and most preferably at least about 90% or 95%) of the amino acids match over the defined length of the sequences.

Extracellular Matrix-Binding Protein Antibodies

The isolated, recombinant or synthetic ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, or peptides or active fragments thereof or fusion proteins thereof, are useful as scientific research tools to identify S. aureus binding sites on the extracellular matrix. This will promote an understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial pathology and the development of antibacterial therapies. Furthermore, the isolated, recombinant or synthetic protein, or antigenic portions thereof (including epitope-bearing fragments), or fusion proteins thereof can be administered to humans or animals as immunogens or antigens. It can be administered alone or in combination with an adjuvant, for the production of antisera reactive with ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or motifs or peptides thereof. In addition, the peptides or proteins can be used to screen antisera for hyperimmune patients from whom can be derived antibodies having a very high affinity for the proteins.

Antibodies isolated from the antisera are useful for the specific detection of S. aureus or S. aureus extracellular matrix-binding proteins or as research tools. The term “antibodies” as used herein includes monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal, chimeric, single chain, bispecific, simianized, and humanized antibodies as well as Fab fragments, including the products of an Fab immunoglobulin expression library.

Monoclonal antibodies are generated by methods well known to those skilled in the art. The preferred method is a modified version of the method of Kearney, et al., J. Immunol. 123:1548-1558 (1979), which is incorporated by reference herein. Briefly, animals such as mice or rabbits are inoculated with the immunogen in adjuvant, and spleen cells are harvested and mixed with a myeloma cell line, such as P3X63Ag8,653. The cells are induced to fuse by the addition of polyethylene glycol. Hybridomas are chemically selected by plating the cells in a selection medium containing hypoxanthine, aminopterin and thymidine (HAT). Hybridomas producing the preferred antibodies are cloned, expanded and stored frozen for future production.

Techniques for the production of single chain antibodies are known to those skilled in the art and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778 and can be used to produce single chain antibodies to the proteins described herein. Phage display technology may be used to select antibody genes having binding activities for ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE, and consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, or antigenic portions thereof, from PCR-amplified v genes of lymphocytes from humans screened for having antibodies to ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs or naive libraries. Bispecific antibodies have two antigen binding domains wherein each domain is directed against a different epitope.

The antibody may be labeled directly with a detectable label for identification and quantitation of S. aureus. Labels for use in immunoassays are generally known to those skilled in the art and include enzymes, radioisotopes, and fluorescent, luminescent and chromogenic substances including colored particles such as colloidal gold and latex beads. Suitable immunoassays include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Alternatively, the antibody may be labeled indirectly by reaction with labeled substances that have an affinity for immunoglobulin, such as protein A or G or second antibodies. The antibody may be conjugated with a second substance and detected with a labeled third substance having an affinity for the second substance conjugated to the antibody. For example, the antibody may be conjugated to biotin and the antibody-biotin conjugate detected using labeled avidin or streptavidin. Similarly, the antibody may be conjugated to a hapten and the antibody-hapten conjugate detected using labeled anti-hapten antibody. These and other methods of labeling antibodies and assay conjugates are well known to those skilled in the art.

Antibodies to the disclosed proteins may also be used in production facilities or laboratories to isolate additional quantities of the protein, such as by affinity chromatography.

The proteins, or antigenic portions thereof, are useful in the diagnosis of S. aureus bacterial infections and in the development of anti-S. aureus vaccines for active or passive immunization. When administered to a wound or used to coat polymeric biomaterials in vitro and in vivo, both the proteins and antibodies thereof are useful as blocking agents to prevent or inhibit the initial binding of S. aureus to the wound site or biomaterials. Preferably, the antibody is modified so that it is less immunogenic in the patient to whom it is administered. For example, if the patient is a human, the antibody may be “humanized” by transplanting the complimentarily determining regions of the hybridoma-derived antibody into a human monoclonal antibody as described by Jones et al., Nature 321:522-525 (1986) or Tempest et al. Biotechnology 9:266-273 (1991).

Medical devices or polymeric biomaterials to be coated with the antibodies, proteins and active fragments described herein include, but are not limited to, staples, sutures, replacement heart valves, cardiac assist devices, hard and soft contact lenses, intraocular lens implants (anterior chamber, posterior chamber or phakic), other implants such as corneal inlays, kerato-prostheses, vascular stents, epikeratophalia devices, glaucoma shunts, retinal staples, scleral buckles, dental prostheses, thyroplastic devices, laryngoplastic devices, vascular grafts, soft and hard tissue prostheses including, but not limited to, pumps, electrical devices including stimulators and recorders, auditory prostheses, pacemakers, artificial larynx, dental implants, mammary implants, penile implants, cranio/facial tendons, artificial joints, tendons, ligaments, menisci, and disks, artificial bones, artificial organs including artificial pancreas, artificial hearts, artificial limbs, and heart valves; stents, wires, guide wires, intravenous and central venous catheters, laser and balloon angioplasty devices, vascular and heart devices (tubes, catheters, balloons), ventricular assists, blood dialysis components, blood oxygenators, urethral/ureteral/urinary devices (Foley catheters, stents, tubes and balloons), airway catheters (endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes and cuffs), enteral feeding tubes (including nasogastric, intragastric and jejunal tubes), wound drainage tubes, tubes used to drain the body cavities such as the pleural, peritoneal, cranial, and pericardial cavities, blood bags, test tubes, blood collection tubes, vacutainers, syringes, needles, pipettes, pipette tips, and blood tubing.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the term “coated” or “coating”, as used herein, means to apply the protein, antibody, or active fragment to a surface of the device, preferably an outer surface that would be exposed to S. aureus infection. The surface of the device need not be entirely covered by the protein, antibody or active fragment.

Immunological and Pharmaceutical Compositions

Immunological compositions, including vaccine, and other pharmaceutical compositions containing the ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motif, peptides or proteins are included within the scope of the present invention. One or more of the ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motif, peptides, proteins, or active or antigenic fragments thereof, or fusion proteins thereof can be formulated and packaged, alone or in combination with other antigens, using methods and materials known to those skilled in the art for vaccines. The immunological response may be used therapeutically or prophylactically and may provide antibody immunity or cellular immunity such as that produced by T lymphocytes such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes or CD4⁺ T lymphocytes.

The immunological compositions, such as vaccines, and other pharmaceutical compositions can be used alone or in combination with other blocking agents to protect against human and animal infections caused by S. aureus. In particular, the compositions can be used to protect humans against endocarditis or to protect humans or ruminants against mastitis caused by S. aureus infections. The vaccine can also be used to protect canine and equine animals against similar S. aureus infections.

To enhance immunogenicity, the proteins may be conjugated to a carrier molecule. Suitable immunogenic carriers include proteins, polypeptides or peptides such as albumin, hemocyanin, thyroglobulin and derivatives thereof, particularly bovine serum albumin (BSA) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), polysaccharides, carbohydrates, polymers, and solid phases. Other protein derived or non-protein derived substances are known to those skilled in the art. An immunogenic carrier typically has a molecular weight of at least 1,000 daltons, preferably greater than 10,000 daltons. Carrier molecules often contain a reactive group to facilitate covalent conjugation to the hapten. The carboxylic acid group or amine group of amino acids or the sugar groups of glycoproteins are often used in this manner. Carriers lacking such groups can often be reacted with an appropriate chemical to produce them. Preferably, an immune response is produced when the immunogen is injected into animals such as mice, rabbits, rats, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, chickens, and other animals, most preferably mice and rabbits. Alternatively, a multiple antigenic peptide comprising multiple copies of the protein or polypeptide, or an antigenically or immunologically equivalent polypeptide may be sufficiently antigenic to improve immunogenicity without the use of a carrier.

The ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motif, peptide, protein or proteins may be administered with an adjuvant in an amount effective to enhance the immunogenic response against the conjugate. At this time, the only adjuvant widely used in humans has been alum (aluminum phosphate or aluminum hydroxide). Saponin and its purified component Quil A, Freund's complete adjuvant and other adjuvants used in research and veterinary applications have toxicities which limit their potential use in human vaccines. However, chemically defined preparations such as muramyl dipeptide, monophosphoryl lipid A, phospholipid conjugates such as those described by Goodman-Snitkoff et al. J. Immunol. 147:410-415 (1991) and incorporated by reference herein, encapsulation of the conjugate within a proteoliposome as described by Miller et al., J. Exp. Med. 176:1739-1744 (1992) and incorporated by reference herein, and encapsulation of the protein in lipid vesicles such as Novasome™ lipid vesicles (Micro Vescular Systems, Inc., Nashua, N.H.) may also be useful.

The term “vaccine” as used herein includes DNA vaccines in which the nucleic acid molecule encoding ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE and consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, or nucleic acid molecules which are not identical to the disclosed sequences, but which are substantially homologous thereto and encode peptides or proteins which have the same functionality and activities, or antigenic portions thereof in a pharmaceutical composition is administered to a patient. For genetic immunization, suitable delivery methods known to those skilled in the art include direct injection of plasmid DNA into muscles (Wolff et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 1:363 (1992)), delivery of DNA complexed with specific protein carriers (Wu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264:16985 (1989), coprecipitation of DNA with calcium phosphate (Benvenisty and Reshef, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 83:9551 (1986)), encapsulation of DNA in liposomes (Kaneda et al., Science 243:375 (1989)), particle bombardment (Tang et al., Nature 356:152 (1992) and Eisenbraun et al., DNA Cell Biol. 12:791 (1993)), and in vivo infection using cloned retroviral vectors (Seeger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81:5849, 1984).

Methods of Administration and Dose of Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions containing the ClfB, SdrC, SdrD or SdrE proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, or fragments thereof may be formulated in combination with a pharmaceutical carrier such as saline, dextrose, water, glycerol, ethanol, other therapeutic compounds, and combinations thereof. The formulation should be appropriate for the mode of administration. The compositions are useful for interfering with, modulating, or inhibiting S. aureus host cell binding interactions with the extracellular matrix.

Suitable methods of administration include, but are not limited to, topical, oral, anal, vaginal, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intranasal and intradermal administration.

For topical administration, the composition is formulated in the form of an ointment, cream, gel, lotion, drops (such as eye drops and ear drops), or solution (such as mouthwash). Wound or surgical dressings, sutures and aerosols may be impregnated with the composition. The composition may contain conventional additives, such as preservatives, solvents to promote penetration, and emollients. Topical formulations may also contain conventional carriers such as cream or ointment bases, ethanol, or oleoyl alcohol.

In a preferred embodiment, a vaccine is packaged in a single dosage for immunization by parenteral (i.e., intramuscular, intradermal or subcutaneous) administration or nasopharyngeal (i.e., intranasal) administration. The vaccine is most preferably injected intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle. The vaccine is preferably combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to facilitate administration. The carrier is usually water or a buffered saline, with or without a preservative. The vaccine may be lyophilized for resuspension at the time of administration or in solution.

The carrier to which the protein may be conjugated may also be a polymeric delayed release system. Synthetic polymers are particularly useful in the formulation of a vaccine to effect the controlled release of antigens. For example, the polymerization of methyl methacrylate into spheres having diameters less than one micron has been reported by Kreuter, J., MICROCAPSULES AND NANOPARTICLES IN MEDICINE AND PHARMACOLOGY, M. Donbrow (Ed). CRC Press, p. 125-148.

Microencapsulation of the protein will also give a controlled release. A number of factors contribute to the selection of a particular polymer for microencapsulation. The reproducibility of polymer synthesis and the microencapsulation process, the cost of the microencapsulation materials and process, the toxicological profile, the requirements for variable release kinetics and the physicochemical compatibility of the polymer and the antigens are all factors that must be considered. Examples of useful polymers are polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyorthoesters polyamides, poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide-) (PLGA) and other biodegradable polymers. The use of PLGA for the controlled release of antigen is reviewed by Eldridge, J. H., et al. CURRENT TOPICS IN MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, 146:59-66 (1989).

One typical dose for human administration is from 0.01 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. Based on this range, equivalent dosages for heavier body weights can be determined. The dose should be adjusted to suit the individual to whom the composition is administered and will vary with age, weight and metabolism of the individual. The vaccine may additionally contain stabilizers such as thimerosal (ethyl(2-mercaptobenzoate-S)mercury sodium salt) (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo.) or physiologically acceptable preservatives.

Protein-Label Conjugates

When labeled with a detectable biomolecule or chemical, the extracellular matrix-binding proteins described herein are useful for purposes such as in vivo and in vitro diagnostics and laboratory research. Various types of labels and methods of conjugating the labels to the proteins are well known to those skilled in the art. Several specific labels are set forth below. The labels are particularly useful when conjugated to a protein such as an antibody or receptor.

For example, the protein can be conjugated to a radiolabel such as, but not restricted to, .³²P, ³H, .⁴C, ³⁵S, ¹²⁵I, or .¹³¹I. Detection of a label can be by methods such as scintillation counting, gamma ray spectrometry or autoradiography.

Bioluminescent labels, such as derivatives of firefly luciferin, are also useful. The bioluminescent substance is covalently bound to the protein by conventional methods, and the labeled protein is detected when an enzyme, such as luciferase, catalyzes a reaction with ATP causing the bioluminescent molecule to emit photons of light.

Fluorogens may also be used to label proteins. Examples of fluorogens include fluorescein and derivatives, phycoerythrin, allo-phycocyanin, phycocyanin, rhodamine, and Texas Red. The fluorogens are generally detected by a fluorescence detector.

The protein can alternatively be labeled with a chromogen to provide an enzyme or affinity label. For example, the protein can be biotinylated so that it can be utilized in a biotin-avidin reaction, which may also be coupled to a label such as an enzyme or fluorogen. For example, the protein can be labeled with peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase or other enzymes giving a chromogenic or fluorogenic reaction upon addition of substrate. Additives such as 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalaz-inedione (also known as Luminol™) (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo.) and rate enhancers such as p-hydroxybiphenyl (also known as p-phenylphenol) (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo.) can be used to amplify enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase through a luminescent reaction; and luminogeneic or fluorogenic dioxetane derivatives of enzyme substrates can also be used. Such labels can be detected using enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA) or by detecting a color change with the aid of a spectrophotometer. In addition, proteins may be labeled with colloidal gold for use in immunoelectron microscopy in accordance with methods well known to those skilled in the art.

The location of a ligand in cells can be determined by labeling an antibody as described above and detecting the label in accordance with methods well known to those skilled in the art, such as immunofluorescence microscopy using procedures such as those described by Warren and Nelson, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7: 1326-1337 (1987).

Screening Methods

The ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE proteins, or fragments thereof, such as consensus or variable amino acid motifs, are useful in a method for screening materials to identify substances that inhibit S. aureus host cell binding interactions with the extracellular matrix. In accordance with the method for screening, the substance of interest is combined with one or more of the ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, or SdrE proteins, or fragments thereof, such as consensus or variable sequence amino acid motif peptides, and the degree of binding of the molecule to the extracellular matrix is measured or observed. If the presence of the substance results in the inhibition of binding, then the substance may be useful for inhibiting S. aureus in vivo or in vitro. The method could similarly be used to identify substances that promote S. aureus interactions with the extracellular matrix.

The method is particularly useful for identifying substances having bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal properties.

For example, to screen for S. aureus agonists or antagonists, a synthetic reaction mixture, a cellular compartment (such as a membrane, cell envelope or cell wall) containing one or more of the ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE proteins, or fragments thereof, such as consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, and a labeled substrate or ligand of the protein is incubated in the presence of a substance under investigation. The ability of the substance to agonize or antagonize the protein is shown by a decrease in the binding of the labeled ligand or decreased formation of substrate product. Substances that bind well and increase the rate of product formation from substrate are agonists. Detection of the rate or level of formation of product from substrate may be enhanced by use of a reporter system, such as a calorimetric labeled substrate converted to product, a reporter gene that is responsive to changes in ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable amino acid sequence motifs' nucleic acid or protein activity, and binding assays known to those skilled in the art. Competitive inhibition assays can also be used.

Potential antagonists include small organic molecules, peptides, polypeptides and antibodies that bind to ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs' nucleic acid molecules or proteins and thereby inhibit their activity or bind to a binding molecule (such as fibrinogen) to prevent the binding of the ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs' nucleic acid molecules or proteins to the binding molecule. For example, a compound that inhibits ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs' activity may be a small molecule that binds to and occupies the binding site of the ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motif peptide or protein, thereby preventing binding to cellular binding molecules. Examples of small molecules include, but are not limited to, small organic molecules, peptides or peptide-like molecules. Other potential antagonists include antisense molecules. Preferred antagonists include compounds related to and variants or derivatives of ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable sequence amino acid motif peptides or proteins.

The nucleic acid molecules described herein may also be used to screen compounds for antibacterial activity.

Therapeutic Applications

In addition to the therapeutic compositions and methods described above, the ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE or consensus or variable amino acid motifs, peptides or proteins, nucleic acid molecules or antibodies are useful for interfering with the initial physical interaction between a pathogen and mammalian host responsible for infection, to mammalian extracellular matrix proteins on indwelling devices or to extracellular matrix proteins in wounds they are further useful to block ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE, or active fragments thereof, including consensus or variable amino acid motifs, peptide or protein-mediated mammalian cell invasion. In addition, these molecules are useful to mediate tissue damage and to block the normal progression of pathogenesis in infections.

S. aureas Detection Kit

The invention further contemplates a kit containing one or more ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, SdrE proteins, peptides, or active fragments thereof, including consensus or variable amino acid motif-encoding nucleic acid probes. These probes can be used for the detection of S. aureus or S. aureus extracellular matrix-binding proteins in a sample. Such a kit can also contain the appropriate reagents for hybridizing the probe to the sample and detecting bound probe.

In an alternative embodiment, the kit contains one or more ClfB, SdrC, SdrD, or SdrE proteins, peptides or consensus or variable amino acid motif-specific antibodies, which can be used for the detection of S. aureus organisms or S. aureus extracellular matrix-binding proteins in a sample.

In yet another embodiment, the kit contains one or more ClfB, SdrC, SdrD or SdrE-proteins, or active fragments thereof, such as the consensus or variable sequence amino acid motifs, which can be used for the detection of S. aureus organisms or S. aureus extracellular matrix-binding antibodies in a sample.

The kits described herein may additionally contain equipment for safely obtaining the sample, a vessel for containing the reagents, a timing means, a buffer for diluting the sample, and a calorimeter, reflectometer, or standard against which a color change may be measured.

In a preferred embodiment, the reagents, including the protein or antibody, are lyophilized, most preferably in a single vessel. Addition of aqueous sample to the vessel results in solubilization of the lyophilized reagents, causing them to react. Most preferably, the reagents are sequentially lyophilized in a single container, in accordance with methods well known to those skilled in the art that minimize reaction by the reagents prior to addition of the sample.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Example 1 Gene Cloning, Sequencing and Expression

A fibrinogen-binding protein gene, designated clfB, was isolated, cloned and sequenced as follows:

Bacterial Strains and Growth Conditions

The E. coli and S. aureus strains used for the cloning and sequencing of clfB are listed in Table 1, below. Escherichia coli was routinely grown on L-broth or agar. S. aureus was routinely grown on trypticase soy broth (Oxoid) or agar. The following antibiotics were incorporated into media where appropriate: ampicillin (Ap), 100 μg/ml; tetracycline (Tc), 2 μg/ml; chloramphenicol (Cm), 5 μg/ml; erythromycin (Em) 10 μg/ml.

Bacterial Relevant properties/ Strain Genotype Use in present study Source/reference E. Coli C600 F⁻, lacY1, leuB6, supE44, Propagation of lambda Appleyard, Genetics thi-1, thr-1, tonA21 recombinants 39: 440-452 (1954) DH5α F⁻, ø80dlacZM15, deoR, Recombination deficient, host Hanahan et al, J. Mol. endA1, gyrA96, hsdR17, strain for plasmids and for DNA Biol. 166: 557-580 (r_(k−), m_(k+)), (lacZYA-argF) sequencing (1983) U169, recA1, relA1, supE44, thi-1 JM101 supE, thi-1, (lac-proAB), Host strain for plasmid bank and Stratagene [F′ traD36, proAB, for sequencing (La Jolla, CA) lac1^(q)ZM15] LE392 F⁻, (r_(k−), m_(k+)), galK3, Propagation of lambda Promega Corp. galT22, hsdR574, lacY1 recombinants (Madison, WI) or (lacIZY)6, metB1, supE44, supF58, trpR55 XL-1 Blue [F′ proAB, lacI^(q)ZM15, Propagation of Tn10(tc^(r))], endA1, gyrA96, plasmids Stratagene hsdR17, lac, recA1, relA1, supE44, thi-1 S. aureus Newman Strong adherence to fibrinogen NCTC 8178; Duthie and Lorenz, J. Gen. Microbiol. 6: 95-107 (1952) DU5876 clfA2::Tn917, Em_(r) McDevit et al., Mol. Microbiol. 11: 237-248 (1994) DU5943 clfB::Tc_(r), Tc_(r) described herein DU5944 clfAclfB, Em_(r), Tc_(r) described herein DU5874 spa:: Tc_(r) Protein A-defective mutant of NewmanMcDevitt et al., Mol. Microbiol. 16: 895-907 (1995) Δ map McDevitt, unpublished 8325-4 NCTC 8325 cured of prophages Novick, Virology 33: 155-166 (1967) ISP546 agr::Tn551 8325-4 agrBrown and Pattee, Infect. Immun. 30: 36-42 (1980) RN4220 Restriction deficient derivative Kreiswirth et al., of 8325-4 Nature 305: 709-712 (1983) V8 Classic V8 protease producer, ATCC 27733 produces PV leukocidin Cowan 1 Classic protein A producer, ATCC 12598 adheres well to fibrinogen and fibronectin RN4282 TSST-1 producer Kreiswirth et al., 1983 (as 3-14) Phillips Collagen binding strain Patti et al., Infect. Immun. 62: 152-161 (1994) V13 Septicaemia isolate O'Reilly et al., Mol. Microbiol. 4: 1947-1955 (1990) GH13 Methicillin resistant Poston and Li Saw Hee, J. Med. Microbiol. 34: 193-201 (1991) P1 Rabbit virulent strain Sherertz et al., J. Infect. Dis. 167: 98-106 (1993) M60 Bovine mastitis isolate Anderson, Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg Abt. 1 Orig Reihe A 5(Suppl.): 783-790 (1976)

DNA Manipulation

Unless otherwise specified, DNA manipulations were done according to standard methods as described by Ausubel et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. New York, John Wiley and Sons (1987) and Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd ed. Cold Spring Harbour, N.Y., Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Press (1989). Enzymes for DNA manipulation were obtained from New England Biolabs (Beverly, Mass.) and Promega (Madison, Wis.), and used as directed by the manufacturer. Genomic DNA from S. aureus Newman was prepared according to methods of Muller et al., Infect. Immun. 61:551-558 (1993). Smaller scale preparations were made by lysing cells in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 12 μg/ml lysostaphin and 20 mM EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), followed by protease K treatment (500 μg/ml in 1% SDS) for 1 hour at 60° C., extraction with phenol and chloroform, and dialysis against 10 mM Tris HCl, pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA. Plasmid DNA was prepared from S. aureus according to the method of Vriesema et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:3527-3529 (1996). E. coli plasmid DNA for use in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing was routinely made by the modified alkaline lysis method of Feliciello and Chinali, Anal. Biochem. 212:394-401 (1993), and occasionally by large scale isolation and dye-buoyant density centrifugation. Screening of E. coli transformants for chimeric plasmids was routinely done by the rapid colony lysis procedure of Le Gouill and Dery, Nucl. Acids Res. 19:6655 (1994).

Cloning of Repeat-Containing Loci

A genomic library of S. aureus Newman was constructed in the LambdaGEM-12 replacement vector (obtained as prepared XhoI half-site arms from Promega Madison, Wis.)) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Oligonucleotide probes specific for regions A and R of S. aureus Newman were made by polymerase chain amplification of these regions from the cloned gene on pCF14, as described by McDevitt and Foster, Microbiology 141:937-943 (1995), and random-primer labeled with [alpha-³²P]dATP using the Promega Prime-a-Gene™ kit (Promega). The bank was screened by Southern blotting, using an overnight hybridization temperature of 65° C. Selected clones were single plaque purified twice, and plate-lysate stocks made for storage and for inoculation of liquid cultures for the large-scale preparation of phage for DNA isolation.

A 3.87-kb HindIII fragment containing homology to region R DNA was cloned from the genome of S. aureus. HindIII-cleaved genomic DNA in the range of 3-4 kb was excised from an agarose gel, purified, and ligated to the pBluescript cloning vector. Plasmids were transformed into E. coli JM101 and identification of a recombinant E. coli containing a region R DNA insert was identified by PCR screening. PCR products were generated using primers specific for region R DNA. Individual colonies within a pool producing a positive PCR reaction were then analyzed for their potential to generate a PCR product. One transformant, pC1, was identified and found to contain the 3.87-kb fragment with homology to region R.

DNA Sequencing

The DNA sequence of clfB was obtained from pA1-1EX, a plasmid containing a fragment subcloned from recombinant phage A1-1 into pGEM 7Z (f)⁺. Nested deletions were made using the Erase-a-Base™ Kit (Promega). The Flash Dye Primer Sequencing Kit (Genpak) was used for sequencing in a Model 373A sequencing system (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Confirmatory sequencing in the forward direction was carried out. Double stranded sequencing of sdrD and sdrE was done on the subclones pEJ1, pEJ2 and pEJ3, containing fragments subcloned from recombinant phage A6-2 in pGEM 7Z (f)⁺, by nested deletions and primer walking. Automated sequence analysis of sdrC and the 5′ end of sdrD on plasmid clone pC1 was performed. Sequence analysis was performed on both strands by primer extension to known sequences.

Screening of S. aureus Strains for clfB Homologues

A probe specific for the region A-encoding portion of clfB was made by excising a 614 bp internal AccI fragment from pA1-1EX, purifying from an agarose gel using the GENECLEAN II™ kit (BIO 101 Inc., La Jolla, Calif.), and labeling with [alpha-³²P]dATP as described in FIG. 2. A probe was similarly made to distal regions of the gene (encoding region R, the wall and membrane-spanning regions, and about 100 bp of downstream DNA), using a 1.2 kb BamHI fragment from pA1-1EX. HindIII digests of genomic DNA from a panel of strains were Southern blotted and screened using these probes.

Expression of clfB Region A

Region A (encoding residues S45 to N542) of clfB was amplified from pA1-1EX by PCR using the following primers:

Forward: (SEQ ID NO: 15) 5′ CGAGGATCCTCAGGACAATCGAACGATACAACG 3′ Reverse: (SEQ ID NO: 16) CGAGGTACCATTTACTGCTGAATCACC 3′.

Cleavage sites for BamHI and KpnI (underlined) were appended to the 5′ ends of the respective primers to introduce these sites into the product and facilitate its cloning into expression vectors. The forward primer was subsequently found to include a single base mismatch (G, underlined), changing an E codon to a G codon. Reaction mixtures (50 μl) contained 2 mM dNTPs, 1.5 mM MgCl.sub.2, 1 ng pA1-1EX, 50 nM primers and 1.25 U Taq polymerase in standard Promega (Madison, Wis.) Taq reaction buffer. Amplification proceeded in a Perkin Elmer Cetus (Foster City, Calif.) thermocycler with an initial denaturation at 94° C. for 4 minutes, followed by 30 cycles with denaturation at 94.degree. C. for 1 minute, annealing at 50° C., and extension at 72° C. for 1.5 minutes, with minimum heating and cooling between steps. The final extension was for 10 minutes. A single product was obtained, which was purified using the Wizard™ PCR purification kit (Promega). The product was initially cloned into the His-tag expression vector pQE30. However, because high-level expression was not obtained in this system, the product was recloned into an alternative vector, the GST fusion vector pGEX-KG, between the BamHI and HindIII sites. The recombinant protein was recovered from lysates by affinity chromatography on glutathione-sepharose (GST Gene Fusion System™ Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) and from the glutathione-S-transferase fusion partner by thrombin cleavage.

Cloning of Repeat Carrying Loci

A library of S. aureus Newman genomic DNA was made using the replacement lambda vector LambdaGEM™-12. About 10 000 plaques were screened using the region R-specific probe. Of the 60 positive plaques retained, 26 were purified and counter-screened with a clfA region A-specific probe. One plaque hybridized with the latter, indicating that it contained the clfA gene; of the remaining, non-hybridizing plaques, three were selected at random, and the DNA isolated. The DNA was cut with several restriction enzymes and analyzed by Southern blotting using the region R probe. Clones A1-1 and A2-3 appeared to contain overlapping sequences. Restriction mapping and Southern blotting indicated that these clones contained a single region R homologue. Clone A6-2 was found to contain three region R homologues, since cleavage with EcoRV yielded three fragments hybridizing to the region R probe.

Clone A1-1 was chosen for more detailed study, as the hybridizing fragment was slightly longer than in clone A2-3. A 7.4 kb EcoRI fragment containing the repeat region was subcloned from lambda clone A1-1 into plasmid pGEM 7Z f(+) to generate plasmid pA1-1E. This insert was reduced to approximately 3 kb by excision of a 4.4 kb XbaI segment to form pA1-1EX as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Clone A6-2 was restriction mapped and fragments subcloned into plasmid vectors for sequencing as shown in FIG. 4. Southern blotting with the region R probe and preliminary sequencing suggested that there were three tandemly arrayed genes carrying region R encoding sequences. On A6-2 there were two complete ORFs, sdrD and sdrE, and one incomplete ORF, sdrC.

The two complete ORFs were sequenced on fragments subcloned from lambda A6-2 into plasmid vectors pGEM7Z f(+) (subclones pEJ1 and pEJ2) and pBluescript KS+(subclone pEJ3). sdrC was cloned separately from S. aureus genomic DNA. A 3.87-kb HindIII fragment of strain Newman was cloned directly into plasmid pBluescript KS+, generating clone pC1 (FIG. 4). This clone, containing a region R DNA insert, was identified by PCR screening. The sequence of sdrC and the 162 bp at the 5′ end of sdrD were determined from pC1.

Plasmid pA1-1EX, carrying the clfB gene, was deposited at the National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria on Oct. 13, 1997 under the Accession No. 40903. Plasmid pC1, carrying the gene for sdrC, was deposited at the National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria under the Accession No. NCIMB 40902 on Oct. 13, 1997 and a recombinant lambda phage A6-2, carrying the sdrD and sdrE genes, was deposited at the NCIMB on Oct. 13, 1997 under the Accession No. NCIMB 40904. All deposits comply with the terms of the Budapest Treaty.

Features of ClfB

The translated open reading frame (ORF) contained within pA1-1EX is shown in FIG. 5. The ORF shows features reminiscent of secreted proteins of Gram positive cocci. Although the entire ORF is shown in FIG. 5, the start codon is unlikely to be the N codon. There is no ATG codon at the 5′ end of the ORF. However, GTG and TTG are occasionally used as translational start codons in S. aureus, although methionine is the actual amino acid residue inserted, e.g., the fibronectin binding proteins (GTG), and protein A (TTG). The first TTG codon (L) may well be the initiation codon, as a possible ribosome binding site, GGAG, is suitably located upstream, starting at position-12. The N-terminal 44 amino acid residue region thus predicted has properties similar to signal sequences of secreted proteins of Gram positive cocci, i.e., an initial stretch of 19 mostly polar residues, with an overall positive charge, followed by 18 neutral residues with a high content of hydrophobic residues, and finally a short stretch of mainly polar residues with a good consensus cleavage site, AQA-S.

If the above prediction of the signal sequence is correct, region A of ClfB is 498 residues long, and shows 26.3% residue identity with the equivalent region in ClfA, or 44.4% homology when conservative substitutions are included. The most marked stretch of amino acid similarity between ClfA and ClfB occurs between residues 314-329 (ClfA) and 304-319 (ClfB), with 7 identical and 5 conserved residues. In ClfA, the stretch overlaps the C-terminal half of a putative Ca³⁺ binding loop, EF hand I, required for fibrinogen binding as shown in FIG. 6. The sequence DYSNS (SEQ ID NO: 11), which obeys the consensus for the N-terminal moiety of a MIDAS motif, occurs a short distance upstream. Accordingly, the downstream sequence was inspected for D and T residues to complete the motif. D and T occur frequently throughout the protein, and T 339 is suitably located, 63 residues downstream. However, the consensus would require a D residue 14-23 residues downstream from the T, and in the present case, the nearest D residues are 9 or 28 residues away (D 348 and D 367).

At the C-terminal end of region A, a prominent proline-rich region occurs (21/42 residues are P; as shown in FIG. 5). There is a 14-residue repeat within this sequence. The DNA encoding the P-rich repeats is highly conserved. Of the three base substitutions, only one results in an amino acid replacement, a conservative substitution of S for T.

Region R is somewhat shorter in clfB than in clfA (272 residues instead of 308). The region R encoding sequence comprises the 18-bp consensus repeat observed in the equivalent part of clfA.

Following region R is a short stretch of predominantly hydrophilic residues, containing the distinctive LPETG (SEQ ID NO: 22) motif near its C-terminal end, presumably the cell sorting signal. The C-terminal region of the predicted protein shows strong homology with the corresponding region in ClfA, with an initial stretch of mostly hydrophobic residues and a final stretch rich in positively charged residues, reminiscent of membrane spanning and anchoring domains, respectively. The general organization of ClfA and ClfB is compared in FIG. 1.

A putative transcription termination signal occurs 3′ to clfB. No open reading frames occur within 260 bp 5′ or 200 bp 3′, suggesting that the gene is not part of an operon.

Features of SdrC, SdrD and SdrE

The DNA sequences and the translated amino acid sequences of sdrC, sdrD and sdrE are shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Each predicted protein has a putative signal sequence, an approximately 500 residue “region A” with limited homology to region A of ClfA (see FIG. 10), variable numbers of B repeats, an SD repeat containing region R, an LPXTG (SEQ ID NO: 14) cell wall sorting motif, a hydrophilic membrane anchor, and positively charged residues at the extreme C terminus.

The organization of the five region R containing proteins is shown in FIG. 10. The A regions of SdrC, SdrD and SdrE have limited sequence similarity to each other and to those of ClfA and ClfB as shown in FIG. 11. Alignments of those sequences more strongly conserved between all five proteins are shown in FIG. 12. The consensus motif TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) overlaps the EF hand 1 motif of ClfA (alignment 2, FIG. 12). This region of ClfA has been shown to be of crucial significance in its ligand (fibrinogen) binding activity as described by O'Connell et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273:6821-6829 (1998), and may also be of importance in the biological activity of the new proteins.

The three proteins SdrC, SdrD and SdrE form a separate subgroup of region R containing proteins: in addition to regions R and A they contain variable numbers of B repeats, located between region A and region R. The B repeats are 110-113 amino acids long and show considerable similarity (alignment 5, FIG. 12). The repeats SdrC B2, SdrD B5 and SdrE B3 adjacent to region R are 93-95% identical. There is a strongly conserved EF hand near the N-terminal end of each repeat.

clfB Homologues in Other S. aureas Strains

Nine strains of S. aureus were screened for the clfB gene by Southern blotting. Genomic DNA was cut to completion with HindIII, and probed with an internal 0.6 kb AccI fragment of the region A coding sequence of clfB, shown in FIG. 2. The probe recognized a single HindIII fragment varying from 2 to 3 kb in length in all nine strains, indicating that each possesses a single clfB allele. A probe made from the region R and distal regions of clfB recognized an identical band in all strains, indicating that the clfB homologues in other strains also contain region R.

Expression of clfB

The portion of clfB encoding region A was amplified by PCR using primers incorporating suitable 5′ restriction sites, and cloned into the E. coli expression vector pGEX-KG. A protein of 94.3 kDa was detected in lysates of induced bacteria. The GST-ClfB fusion protein was immobilized on a glutathione sepharose affinity column, cleaved with thrombin, and examined by SDS-PAGE. The predominant band was 42 kDa, whereas the calculated molecular weight of region A is 54 kDa. This protein was used to raise antibody in rabbits, to probe Western blots of cell lysates made from strain Newman grown under a variety of conditions, as described below. The antibody failed to detect any antigens in lysates made from plate cultures, statically grown broth cultures, or shake-flask cultures grown to stationary phase. A single 124-kDa band was detected in lysates made from exponential phase shake-flask cultures of strain Newman and derivatives. If it is assumed that processing removes the signal sequence and the C-terminal portion of the protein from the last G of the LPETG (SEQ ID NO: 22), the predicted molecular weight of ClfB is 88.3 kDa. In a time-course of ClfB production by a shake-flask culture of strain Newman, the ClfB protein was most abundant in the early exponential phase and showed a sharp decline toward the end of exponential phase, after which levels became undetectable. The results of the time-course study are shown in FIG. 13.

Example 2 Production of Anti-ClfB Serum

Antibodies to recombinant region A were raised in two young New Zealand white rabbits (2 kg) showing no prior reaction with E. coli or S. aureus antigens in Western blots. Injections, given subcutaneously, contained 25 μg of the antigen, diluted to 500 ml in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) emulsified with an equal volume of adjuvant. The initial injection contained Freund's complete adjuvant; the two to three subsequent injections, given at two-week intervals, contained Freund's incomplete adjuvant. When the response to the recombinant protein was judged adequate, the rabbits were bled, serum recovered, and total IgG purified by affinity chromatography on protein A sepharose (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.).

SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting

Samples were analyzed by SDS-PAGE in 10 or 12% acrylamide gels. Isolated proteins and E. coli cell lysates were prepared for electrophoresis by boiling for five minutes in denaturation buffer. For S. aureus, cells were suspended to an OD₆₀₀ of 40 units in 100 mM PBS containing 10 mM EDTA. To each 500 μl sample, 40 μl protease inhibitors (Complete™ cocktail, Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.), 5 μl each of DNAse and RNAse (from 10 mg/ml stocks, Sigma Chemical Co.), and 60 μl of a 2 mg/ml lysostaphin stock (Ambicin L™ recombinant lysostaphin, Applied Microbiology Inc., Tarrytown, N.Y.) were then added and the suspension incubated in a 37° C. water bath until it cleared. The samples were then processed as usual. Gels were stained with Coomassie blue or transferred to Nytran™ membrane by Western blotting in the Bio-Rad Semidry™ system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Richmond, Calif.). For detection of native ClfB in S. aureus, blots were processed using the BM Chemiluminescence Detection System™ (POD) of Boehringer Mannheim, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Primary anti-ClfB antibody was used at a 1/1000 dilution, for a two hour incubation at room temperature. Protein A conjugated with horse radish peroxidase (Sigma Chemical Co.) was used to detect bound antibody, diluted 1/2000 for a one hour incubation at room temperature. Blots requiring less sensitivity were treated in a similar way, except that 5% skim milk was used as a blocking agent, and the blots were developed using chloronaphthol and hydrogen peroxide.

To determine whether ClfB is cell wall-associated, whole cells from an exponential phase culture were treated with lysostaphin in buffer supplemented with 30% raffinose to stabilize the protoplasts. The protoplasts were harvested, and the protoplasts and supernatant analyzed separately by Western blotting. ClfB protein was detected only in the supernatant, indicating that all ClfB was cross-linked to the peptidoglycan, and could be released by lysostaphin without disruption of the protoplast.

ClfB expression was enhanced by growth in rich media, such as tryptone soy broth or brain heart infusion.

Several S. aureus strains known to contain clfB alleles were screened for ClfB production by Western blotting. Cultures were harvested in early exponential phase to maximize expression. Of the nine strains examined, 83254, RN4282, and V13 expressed immunoreactive antigens of similar size and intensity to that of Newman, whereas strains GH13 and P1 had very weak bands of this size. Strains P1, Cowan and M60 expressed smaller immunoreactive antigens which may be degradation products. Strains V8 and Phillips expressed no detectable ClfB protein. Strain RN4220, which was derived from 8325-4, expressed exceptionally high levels of ClfB.

Example 3 Immunoassay for ClfB Using Biotinylated Recombinant ClfB Region A

The DNA encoding region A of clfB (encoding residues S45 to N542) was amplified from genomic DNA of S. aureus Newman using the following primers:

Forward: (SEQ ID NO: 17) 5′ CGAAAGCTTGTCAGAACAATCGAACGATACAACG 3′ Reverse: (SEQ ID NO: 16) 5′ CGAGGATCCATTTACTGCTGAATCACC 3′

Cleavage sites for HindIII and BamHI (underlined) were appended to the 5′ ends of the respective primers to facilitate cloning of the product into the His-tag expression vector pV4. Cloning employed E. coli JM101 as a host strain. The recombinant region A was purified by nickel affinity chromatography.

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Immulon 1™ plates (Dynatech™, Dynal, Inc., Great Neck, N.Y.) were coated overnight with 100 μl of 10 μg/ml human fibrinogen (Chromogenix). They were then blocked with 200 μl of 5 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA) for one hour. The plates were then incubated for three hours with 100 μl biotinylated ClfB (His-tag recombinant region A) diluted to 0.1-10 μg/ml. They were then given three five-minute washes with PBS containing 0.02% Tween 20 and 1 mg/ml BSA. The plates were then incubated for one hour with 100 μl of a 1/10 000 dilution of streptavidin conjugated with alkaline phosphatase (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.), and washed as before. The plates were then developed for 30 minutes at 37° C. with 100 μl of 1 M diethanolamine, pH 9.8, containing 1 mg/ml p-nitrophenyl phosphate (Sigma Chemical Co.). Plates coated with BSA only were used as negative controls. The absorbance was measured at 405 nm.

Western Affinity Blotting

A 20 . μg quantity of human fibrinogen (Chromogenix) was subjected to SDS-PAGE on a 15% acrylamide gel for two hours. Proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose at 100 V for two hours. The membrane was blocked overnight in PBS containing 10% nonfat dry milk. The blot was then incubated with 2.5 μg/ml biotinylated ClfB (His-tag recombinant region A) for one hour with shaking, the biotinylation being performed with EZ link-sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotin™ (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.). The blot was then given three five-minute washes in PBS containing 0.1% Tween 20. The blot was then incubated for one hour with avidin conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (Boehringer Mannheim) at a 1/200,000 dilution. The blot was then washed as before, and developed using the enhanced chemiluminescence system of Amersham (Little Chalfont, Bucks, UK). The band profile was compared with that obtained by subjecting fibrinogen to SDS-PAGE and Coomassie Blue staining.

In a Western affinity blot, in which biotinylated purified ClfB region A was used to probe blotted fibrinogen, a comparison with a lane of stained fibrinogen indicated that ClfB bound the alpha and beta-chains of fibrinogen. No bands were seen when ClfB was omitted. This experiment shows an important difference with ClfA, which is known to bind to the gamma-chain of fibrinogen.

Example 4 Mutagenesis of clfB

An insertion mutation in clfB was created by introducing a fragment containing a Tc resistance marker into the middle of the gene on pA1-1EX as shown in FIG. 3. The 2.35-kb HindIII fragment from pT181 was filled in with Klenow enzyme, and blunt-end ligated into the HpaI site of pA1-1EX. Plasmid pTS2, with temperature sensitive replication and a Cm.sup.r marker, was cloned into this construct at the SmaI site by cleaving with AvaI. This cloning step was carried out in E. coli, and transformants were selected on Ap and incubated at 30° C. to avoid selection of revertants to temperature independence. The plasmid was then purified and transformed into S. aureus RN4220 by electroporation and Tc^(r) transformants selected at 30° C. Five independent broth cultures grown at 30° C. were diluted 1/100 in fresh medium without antibiotics, and grown at 42° C. for six hours or 18 hours. The cultures were then diluted 1/100 and incubated at 42° C. for another time period. Six such dilutions and incubations were made, by which time Tc resistance had declined to approximately 1/1000 colony forming units (CFU). The cultures were then diluted to give approximately 100 CFU per plate on medium containing Tc, and incubated overnight at 37° C. Colonies which were Tc^(r) but Cm^(s) were presumed to have undergone a double crossover event between the plasmid and host genome, leading to replacement of the wild-type gene with the mutated one, with subsequent loss of the plasmid. Five hundred colonies were screened per culture. Eleven presumptive mutants were isolated from four of the five cultures. Four representative mutants were selected and genomic DNA isolated. Mutant DU5944, deficient in both clfA and clfB, was constructed by transducing clfA2::Tn917 from strain DU5876 into clfB mutant DU5943, selecting for Em^(r).

To determine whether mutations known to affect exoprotein expression influenced clfB, strain 8325-4 and the agr mutant ISP546 were compared. No significant differences in the level or dynamics of ClfB expression were noted.

To determine the role of ClfB in bacteria-fibrinogen interactions, a clfB mutant of strain Newman was constructed by allele replacement as shown in FIG. 2. Genomic DNA of the mutant was digested with BamHI and subjected to Southern blotting with a labeled 1.3 kb HpaI fragment from plasmid pA1-1E containing the 5′ half of clfB and about 150 bp of upstream sequence. A single band hybridized in each case, but as expected, the band was 2.35 kb longer in the mutant than in the wild-type. The mutation was initially isolated in RN4220 and then transduced into strain Newman, forming strain DU5943.

Overexpression of ClfB and Complementation of clfB Mutation Overproduction of ClfB was enabled by subcloning a SmaI fragment containing the clfB gene and 500 bp of upstream DNA from pA1-1E into the high copy number shuttle plasmid pCU1. The construct was then transformed into strain RN4220 and transduced into strain Newman Transductants were selected on Cm. Southern and Western blotting confirmed that the high copy number was maintained in strain Newman, and that ClfB was produced at higher than wild-type levels, indicating that the upstream DNA contained the promoter necessary for expression of the clfB gene. Transduction of the construct into clfB mutants restored ClfB synthesis to higher than wild-type levels. The construct was also transduced into clfAclfB double mutants for use in complementation studies.

To create a clfAclfB double mutant, a clfA::Tn917 mutation was transferred by transduction from strain DU5876 into the clfB::Tc^(r) mutant DU5943, forming DU5944. The wild-type clfB⁺ gene was cloned into shuttle plasmid pCU1 to give plasmid pA1-1EA, which was introduced into the clfAclfB mutant by transduction to test complementation. Western blotting with anti-ClfB serum showed that the ClfB protein was missing in mutant DU5943. It was expressed at a higher level than the wild-type in mutants carrying the complementing plasmid PA1-1EA, indicating overexpression of the protein due to gene dosage effect.

Example 5 ClfB Binding Assays

Clumping Assays

The role of ClfB in binding of S. aureus cells to soluble fibrinogen was investigated in clumping assays. Clumping assays were carried out in Sarstedt™ flat-bottomed multiwell test plates, using 50-μl volumes of human fibrinogen (Calbiochem Corp. (San Diego, Calif.) plasminogen free, >95% pure), diluted serially two-fold in PBS from a starting concentration of 1 mg/ml. S. aureus cultures were washed once in PBS, resuspended to a final OD₆₀₀ of 6, and 20 μl added to each well. Control wells contained PBS 30 only. The plates were agitated briskly for five minutes and visually examined for clumping. The clumping titer was the lowest concentration of fibrinogen at which clumping occurred. The results are set forth in Table 2, below. Results are the mean of concurrent duplicate assays.

TABLE 2 Clumping titres of S. aureus Newman and mutants from different culture phases Clumping titer, μg/ml Strain fibrinogen phase Stationary Exponential phase Wild-type 0.98 0.98 clfA 3.91 >1000.00 clfB 1.95 0.98 clfA clfB >1000.00 >1000.00 clfA clfB (pA1- 2.93 250.00 1EA; clfB⁺)

The clumping titers of clfA and clfB single mutants were very similar to wild-type when exponential phase cultures were used. However, the double clfAclfB mutant failed to form clumps, even at the highest fibrinogen concentration. In contrast, the double mutant carrying the wild-type clfB gene on pA1-1EA formed clumps with almost the same avidity as the wild-type. These data show unambiguously that ClfB is a clumping factor.

The difference in clumping titer between the single mutants was much greater when stationary phase cultures were used, where only ClfA is present on cells. The wild-type strain and single clfB mutant had identical titers. The single clfA mutant failed to clump, and was thus indistinguishable from the double mutant. Interestingly, there was a slight restoration of clumping when the double mutant was complemented with the overexpressed clfB⁺ gene. This probably reflects over expression of the protein.

Plate Adherence Assays

To determine whether ClfB can promote bacterial attachment to immobilized fibrinogen, strains were tested for fibrinogen binding in a microtiter plate adherence assay. Binding of cells to fibrinogen immobilized on plates was measured by the assay of Wolz et al., Infect. Immun. 64:3142-3147 (1996). Fibrinogen was diluted in carbonate buffer (15 mM Na₂CO₃, 35 mM NaHCO₃, 3.2 . μM NaN₃, pH 9.6) and 100 μl used to coat 96-well flat-bottomed ELISA plates (Immulon 4™ Dynatech) overnight at 4° C. Control wells contained carbonate buffer only. After washing in 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween 20™ surfactant, the plates were blocked for one hour at 37.degree. C. in 1% BSA, 0.05% Tween in PBS. After washing as before, 100 μl of a cell suspension (OD₆₀₀ of 0.4 in PBS) was added, and the plates incubated for two hours at 37° C. After gentle washing by hand, adherent cells were fixed by adding 100 μl of 25% aqueous formaldehyde, and incubating at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. The plates were then washed gently once more, stained with crystal violet, washed again, and the plates read by ELISA reader at 570 nm. To avoid inter-assay variation, experiments were designed so that a single plate provided a complete set of results.

The pattern of adherence strongly reflected that obtained in clumping assays (FIG. 15). Assays in which the concentration of cells was varied indicated that binding was approximately half the maximum value at a cell density of 0.4 OD (except for the double mutant), and this cell density was subsequently used routinely. Wild-type, clfA, clfB mutants and clfAclfB (pA1-1EA) showed a fibrinogen concentration-dependent increase in binding (FIG. 16). This increase was less marked for the clfB mutant (expressing ClfA) than for the clfA mutant (expressing ClfB), suggesting that ClfB may be a less avid and/or abundant receptor. With stationary phase cells, the clfB mutant continued to behave like the wild-type strain, whereas the clfA mutant bound much less avidly. As with clumping, adherence was slightly higher with the complemented double mutant, presumably due to a gene dosage effect.

The clumping and adherence assays show that ClfB mediates binding both to soluble and immobilized fibrinogen, closely resembling the activity of ClfA.

The binding of increasing concentrations of biotinylated purified region A from ClfA and ClfB to solid phase fibrinogen was compared in a direct ELISA. The results are shown in FIG. 14. The adherence profiles of the two proteins were very similar, especially at the lower concentrations. At the highest concentration, binding of ClfA was approximately 50% greater than that of ClfB. Neither protein bound to BSA.

Effect of Anti-ClfB Antibody on Bacterial Adherence to Immobilized Fibrinogen

To study inhibition of fibrinogen binding by IgG, the cells used for the assay were preincubated with serial two-fold dilutions of purified IgG in PBS, starting with a concentration of 500 μg/ml. Preincubation was for two hours at 37° C. in Sarstedt™ multiwell test plates, and the cells were then transferred to ELISA plates coated with fibrinogen (2.5 μg/ml) and blocked as before. The rest of the assay was as before.

Cells from exponential phase cultures of wild-type and mutant Newman strains were preincubated with increasing concentrations of purified anti-ClfB IgG, and adherence to plastic surfaces coated with 2.5 μg/ml fibrinogen examined. The results are shown in FIG. 17. Binding of the clfB mutant was not inhibited, and binding of wild-type cells was almost unaffected, even at the highest antibody concentration. However, binding of the clfA mutant showed an IgG concentration-dependent decrease, with an IC₅₀ of 16 μg/ml. The double mutant carrying clfB⁺ on a complementing plasmid was also inhibited by the antibody, although the IC₅₀ was higher (50 μg/ml), presumably because more ClfB was being expressed on the cell surface.

Effect of Divalent Cations on Bacterial Adherence to Immobilized Fibrinogen

The effect of metal ions on fibrinogen binding was studied in a similar manner, preincubating the cells with serial two-fold dilutions of MgCl₂, MnCl₂ or MgCl₂ in TBS (50 mM Tris HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl), starting with a concentration of 50 mM. TBS was used instead of PBS, which causes precipitation of both calcium and manganese. Since the cells bound less well under these conditions, the starting cell concentration was doubled.

It is known that the interaction of ClfA and fibrinogen is inhibited by Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺, but not Mg²⁺ ions. The effect of divalent cations on ClfB-promoted adherence to fibrinogen was thus tested. Preincubation of exponential phase cells of the wild-type strain and the clf mutants with CaCl₂ inhibited binding to fibrinogen. Those strains expressing ClfB alone showed greater sensitivity than the mutant expressing ClfA alone (clfB). The IC₅₀ for the wild-type strain and the clfB mutant were 17 and 14 mM, respectively, whereas for the clfA mutant and the clfB⁺ complemented double mutant the IC₅₀ was 1.05 and 0.60 mM, respectively. MnCl₂ also inhibited attachment of the wild-type strain and mutants, with a stronger effect on strains expressing only clfB. The IC₅₀ for the wild-type and the clfB mutant was 3.3 and 6.4 mM, respectively, whereas for the clfA mutant and the double mutant carrying clfB⁺ on a complementing plasmid the IC₅₀ was 0.35 and 1.26 mM respectively. MgCl₂ had no effect on binding below 12.5 mM.

Thus, clfB promoted adherence of bacteria to immobilized fibrinogen is inhibited by Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ at similar concentrations to ClfA-promoted adherence. However, the mechanisms are likely to be different since ClfB does not contain a homologue of EF hand I implicated in Ca²⁺ promoted modulation of ClfA-fibrinogen interactions.

Platelet-Fibrin Clot Adherence Assay

Adherence to platelet-fibrin clots was measured using a modification of an assay employed by Moreillon et al., Infect. Immun. 63: 4738-4743 (1995). Fresh canine blood was collected on 10% sodium citrate buffer (Sigma Chemical Co.), and centrifuged at 3000×.g for 10 minutes at room temperature. The plasma fraction was removed and placed in a clean tube. Platelet-fibrin clots were made by mixing 0.5 ml volumes of plasma with 0.1 ml volumes of 0.2 mM CaCl₂ in 35 mm petri dishes. Thrombin (0.1 ml of 500 U/ml Sigma bovine thrombin) was then added, mixed in quickly, and the clots allowed to form. To measure bacterial adherence, 2 ml of PBS containing 5×10³ cfu/ml of bacteria (from a BHI-grown exponential phase culture) was added to each dish, and the dishes shaken for three minutes on an orbital shaker. The inoculum was drained off and the clots washed twice for five minutes each with 2 ml of PBS. The clots were then overlaid with 3 ml of molten TSA, incubated for 15 hours at 37° C., and the colonies counted. The bacterial suspension used as an inoculum was spread on TSA plates to obtain a total viable count, and the percentage of bound inoculum calculated. Results represent means of 6-10 plates per strain, and were analyzed statistically using the student's T test.

The clfB mutation reduced adherence when compared to the wild-type strain Newman, as did the clfA mutation which was previously shown by Moreillon et al. to have significantly reduced adherence in this model.

Assay for Adherence to Haemodialysis Tubing

In order to demonstrate that ClfB could serve as an adhesin for S. aureus in biomaterial-related infections, explanted human haemodialysis tubing was tested for promotion of bacterial adherence in vitro. The tubing was coated with a complex mixture of host plasma proteins including fibrinogen and fibronectin.

These experiments employed sections of haemodialysis tubing removed from patients 3 to 3.5 hours after implantation. Cultures were grown for two hours with shaking. Results, showing means with SEM of three experiments, are shown in FIG. 19.

Assay for Adherence to Fibrinogen-Coated PMMA Coverslips

Adherence of S. aureus Newman and mutants to fibrinogen-coated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) coverslips was measured as described by Greene et al., Mol. Microbiol. 17:1143-1152 (1995), except that the coverslips were coated with pure fibrinogen (1 μg/ml). Cultures for the assay were grown for two hours with shaking. Results, showing the means and SEM of triplicate experiments, are shown in FIG. 18.

The pattern of adherence to the tubing segments resembled the pattern of binding seen for immobilized fibrinogen in a parallel assay for adherence to fibrinogen immobilized on PMMA coverslips. The single clfA mutants had slightly lower levels of adherence compared to the wild-type whereas the double clfAclfB mutant was reduced to approximately 30% of wild-type level. Complementation of the single clfB mutant with the clfB gene on pA1-1EA restored binding to greater than wild-type levels, whereas complementation of the double mutant with the same plasmid restored binding only to the same level as the single clfA mutant.

Example 6 ClfB as a Virulence Factor in Experimental Endocarditis

Clumping factor A was shown to be a virulence factor promoting adherence to damaged heart valves in the rat model of experimental endocarditis of Moreillon et al., Infect. Immun. 63:4738-4743 (1995). Therefore, the role of ClfB in this infection was tested by comparing the infection rate of a clfB mutant and the mutant carrying the complementing clfB⁺ plasmid. Rats were infected intravenously at an ID₆₀ with 5×10³ cfu. 61% of the wild-type control animals' valves were infected (n=13), whereas only 30% of the clfB mutant infected animals were colonized (n=20). In contrast 77% (n=9) of the complemented mutant became infected. This clearly shows that ClfB is an adhesin and potential virulence factor in the endocarditis model.

Example 7 Generation of TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO:18) Peptide Antibodies

The nanopeptide, TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18), was synthesized in multiple antigen peptide format (MAP; Research Genetics, Inc., Huntsville, Ala.). The peptide was conjugated to KLH according to manufacturers' directions (Pierce). Two female New Zealand White rabbits were immunized subcutaneously with the KLH-TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) conjugate emulsified with Freund's Complete Adjuvant. The rabbits were boosted 3 weeks later by subcutaneous injection of KLH-TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) adjuvanted with Freunds Incomplete. A third boost was administered subcutaneously with KLH-TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) in PBS. The animals were analyzed for TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) specific antibodies 21 days after the final boost. For purification of antibodies, antisera was diluted 1:1 with Tris-HCl pH 8.0 and passed over a Protein A-Sepharose® column. After sequential washes with Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 0.5 M sodium chloride, the bound antibodies were eluted in 3.5 M MgCl₂, and dialyzed into PBS.

Immulon-2 microtiter plates (Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, Va.) were coated for 2 hr at room temperature with 1 μg ClfA, ClfB, or BSA. The protein coated plates were washed three times with PBS, 0.05% Tween 20 and then blocked with PBS, 1% BSA. The blocked plates were washed three times with PBS, 0.05% Tween 20. Fifty μl of the purified rabbit KLH-TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) antibodies were serially diluted in PBS and added to the microtiter plate and incubated at 25° C. on a rocker platform. The wells were washed three times with PBS, 0.05% Tween 20 and the secondary antibody was added to the wells and incubated for 1 hr at room temperature. The secondary antibody was alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG (Bio-Rad), diluted 3000-fold in PBS. ELISA plates were developed for 1 hr at 37° C. with 1 mg/ml p-nitrophenyl phosphate (Sigma) in 1 M diethanolamine, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, pH 9.8, and quantified at 405 nm on a Perkin Elmer HTS 7000 Bio-Assay reader.

The data is shown in FIG. 21. These data indicate that the anti-consensus sequence TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 18) antibodies significantly bind to ClfA and ClfB proteins, but not to the control protein, BSA.

Example 8 Passive Immunization with Rabbit CUB IgG

The DNA encoding region A of clfB (encoding residues S45 to N542) was amplified from genomic DNA of S. aureus Newman using the following primers:

Forward: (SEQ ID NO: 17) 5′ CGAAAGCTTGTCAGAACAATCGAACGATACAACG 3′ Reverse: (SEQ ID NO: 16) 5′ CGAGGATCCATTTACTGCTGAATCACC 3′

Cleavage sites for HindIII and BamHI (underlined) were appended to the 5′ ends of the respective primers to facilitate cloning of the product into the His-tag expression vector pV4. Cloning employed E. coli JM101 as a host strain. The recombinant region A was purified by nickel affinity chromatography. Antibodies were raised in rabbits with the purified recombinant A region according to standard procedures. Anti-ClfB A region IgG was purified by affinity chromatography on a Protein A sepharose column.

Twenty Swiss Webster mice (23-28 g) were used to determine if passive immunization with purified rabbit anti-ClfB A region IgG could prevent infection mediated by a methicillin resistant S. aureus.

Methicillin resistant S. aureus strain 601 was cultured on blood agar plates. A single colony was then inoculated into 10 mls of BHI broth and incubated at 37° C. overnight. The culture was diluted to a 1:100 dilution, placed into 10 ml of fresh BHI and grown to an optical density (O.D.) of 1.5-2.0. The culture was then centrifuged and washed in 1.times.PBS. The culture was re-suspended in 1×PBS containing 5% BSA and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and kept frozen at −20° C. The bacterial solution was thawed, washed, diluted in PBS, and adjusted to the appropriate concentrations before dosing the mice.

The mice were divided into four treatment groups (5 mice per treatment group). Mice were assigned to treatment groups as follows:

Antibody/Bacteria Dose CFU/mouse No. of Mice 1 Normal rabbit IgG/S. aureus 3.81 × 10⁷ 5 2 Normal rabbit IgG/S. aureus 7.62 × 10⁷ 5 3 Rabbit anti-ClfB IgG/S. aureus 3.81 × 10⁷ 5 4 Rabbit anti-ClfB IgG/S. aureus 7.62 × 10⁷ 5

On day −1, ten mice were administered 10 mg rabbit anti-ClfB region A IgG and 10 mice were given 10 mg normal rabbit IgG. Both antibodies were given via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. On day 0, all mice were infected intravenously (i.v.) with either 3.81×10⁷ CFU S. aureus or 7.62×10⁷ CFU S. aureus.

Systemic infection was measured by evaluation of body weight loss. Body weight loss is one of the primary parameters that is evaluated when cases of illness and injury are being assessed in mice. The body weight of each animal was recorded on Day −1 and every other day thereafter, including terminal sacrifice. The animals were weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram.

Mice injected with normal rabbit IgG displayed a significantly larger weight loss at the end of the experiment compared to mice passively immunized with rabbit anti-ClfB region A IgG (see table below). In addition, pathological evaluation of the mice at necropsy revealed a greater number of lesions and foci of infection in the kidneys from the mice receiving normal rabbit IgG compared to the kidneys from mice that were immunized with anti-ClfB region A IgG.

% Change in body weight (mean) Normal IgG/ Anti-ClfB IgG/ Normal IgG/ Anti-ClfB IgG/ Day of S. aureus S. aureus S. aureus S. aureus Study 3.81 × 10⁷ 3.81 × 10⁷ 7.62 × 10⁷ 7.62 × 10⁷ −1 0 0 0 0 1 2.9 3.6 3.9 5.8 3 10 5.1 8.5 8.2 5 8.3 1.5 8.0 6.6

Example 9 ClfB Region A Binds .Alpha. and .Beta. Chains of Human Fibrinogen

Human fibrinogen (20 μg; Chromogenix) was separated by SDS-PAGE on a 15% acrylamide gel for 2 hours. Proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose at 100 V for 2 h. The membranes were blocked overnight in PBS containing 10% non-fat dry milk and then incubated with 2.5 μg/ml biotinylated ClfB or ClfA region A protein for 1 h with shaking. They were then given 3×5 mm washes with PBS containing 0.1% Tween 20 and incubated for 1 hr with avidin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (Boehringer Mannheim: 1:100,000 dilution). The filters were washed as before and developed using enhanced chemilluminescence (Amersham). The Western Blot (FIG. 22) illustrates the binding of biotinylated ClfA to the y chain of fibrinogen and the binding of biotinylated ClfB to the α and β chains of fibrinogen.

Example 10 ClfB Region A binds 75 kD and 50 kD Proteins from Human Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Line

Human Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells were lysed with the SDS-PAGE running buffer and varying amounts (2-10 μl) of the protein lysate were separated by SDS-PAGE on a 15% acrylamide gel for 2 h. Proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose at 100 V for 2 h. The membranes were blocked overnight in PBS containing 10% non-fat dry milk and then incubated with 2.5 μg/ml biotinylated ClfB or ClfA region A protein for 1 hr with constant shaking. They were then given 3.times.5 min washes with PBS containing 0.1% Tween 20 and incubated for 1 hr with avidin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (Boehringer Mannheim; 1:100,000 dilution). The filters were washed as before and developed using enhanced chemilluminescence (Amersham). Two major bands were seen at 50 kD and 75 kD that reacted with the biotinylated ClfB region A protein. 

1. An isolated protein wherein the protein has an amino acid sequence comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 2. An isolated protein encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 4. 3. The protein of claim 2, expressed from a vector in a living organism, wherein the vector contains a nucleic acid sequence comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 4. 4. The protein of claim 1 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 5. The protein of claim 2 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 6. The protein of claim 1 immobilized on a solid phase.
 7. The protein of claim 2 immobilized on a solid phase.
 8. A diagnostic kit comprising the protein according to claim 1 and antibodies binding to said protein.
 9. A diagnostic kit comprising the protein according to claim 2 and antibodies binding to said protein.
 10. The protein of claim 1 wherein the protein is the SdrC protein from Staphylococcus aureus.
 11. An isolated protein comprising the A region of the SdrC protein of Staphylococcus aureus.
 12. The protein of claim 11, expressed from a vector in a living organism.
 13. The protein of claim 11 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 14. The protein of claim 1 immobilized on a solid phase.
 15. A diagnostic kit comprising the protein according to claim 11 and antibodies binding to said protein. 